SOME BIRDS I HAVE MET 211 



ance among us during March, and not having 

 heard its well-known cry, are doubtless frequently 

 mistaken in their identification of the bird they 

 have observed. 



Surprise has been expressed by the companions 

 of my rambles as to the small size of the bird 

 when I have pointed the Cuckoo out to them, 

 and more so still when I have shown them an egg, 

 which scarcely exceeds in size that of the Skylark. 

 A Summer or two ago I was in the wild greenwood, 

 and had the rare sight of seeing half a dozen 

 Cuckoos carrying out a series of vocal blandish- 

 ments whereby to win the heart of a female bird. 

 One particular bird I had under observation was 

 in great distress, and constantly uttered its well- 

 known note. It sang " Kook-00 " repeatedly for 

 over a hundred and twenty times without a 

 second's cessation, and only stopped at that 

 number for a few seconds before it started calling 

 again. That morning in Cuckoo-land will not be 

 readily effaced from my memory, and as I lay in 

 bed that night the plaintive call was still ringing 

 through my ears. Towards the end of June the 

 song greatly depreciates in its softness and plain- 

 tive character, and it is rarely heard after July i. 



Among feathered folk, the Nightjar may be 

 considered one of the most interesting, especially 

 as it comes forth from its hiding place of the 

 day when twilight shadows are fast falling. It is 



