THE ZOOLOGIST 



FOR 



1867. 



The Birds of Shakespeare. By J. E. Harting, F.Z.S. 



(Continued from S. S. 264.) 



The following line from 'King Lear' would seem to imply the 

 poet's impression that the wren is polygamous : 



" Die for adultery ! no, the wren goes to 't." 



King Lear, Act iv. Scene 6. 



But, so far as we are aware, the observations of naturalists tend to 

 prove the contrary. 



" The pretty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence, 



And open this to Pericles." 



Pericles, Act iv. Scene 4. 



" Came he right now to sing a raven's note, 

 Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers ; 

 And thinks he that the chirping of a wren, 

 By crying comfort from a hollow breast, 

 Can chase away the first-conceived sound ? " 



Henry VI., Part II. Act iii. Scene 2. 



This passage has been before explained under the head of " Raven." 

 (See Zool. S. S. 468). 



Cuckoo {Cuculus canorus). 



" The plain song cuckoo gray, 

 Whose note full many a man doth mark, 

 And dares not answer nay : 

 For indeed who would set his wish to so foolish a bird ? who would give a bird the 

 lie, though he cry 'cuckoo' never so?"— Midsummer Night's Dream, Act iii. Scene 1. 



" So when he had occasion to be seen, 



He was but as the cuckoo is in June, 



Heard, not regarded." 



Henry IV., Part I. Act iii. Scene 2. 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. II. B 



