113 



THE CUCKOO. 



Cucul'us canorus L. 



The inimig-rations of this species began like those of raany 

 other birds, by the arrival of stragglers, the first of which 

 reached this country on April 1st. 



For the first fortnight in April single birds continued 

 to arrive and remained for the most part in the south- 

 eastern counties, which evidently formed their point of 

 entry. 



On April 15th and 16th a considerable immigration 

 occurred along the coasts of Kent^ Sussex and Hampshire, 

 and these spreading westwards during the following week, 

 seem to have formed the breeding-stock of the southern 

 counties, while only a very few travelled north of a line 

 from Bristol to London. 



On April 24th a very considerable number was noticed 

 in Suffolk and Norfolk, but as to where they first arrived 

 from oversea we have no evidence. They appear to have 

 spread rapidly over the country westward and northward. 



On April 29th, and again on May 3rd, immigrations took 

 place in Sussex, and from this point the Cuckoos spread 

 out over the country, a gradual increase in their numbers 

 being observable throughout England and Wales. 



On May 7th a similar arrival and dispersal took place, 

 and by the 8th the bird was recorded universally as being 

 in its usual numbers, no further movements being* noted. 



Chronological Summary of the Records. 



From April 1st to 14th the records refer chiefly to 

 single birds. 

 April 1. Sussex and Surrey. 



„ 9, Sussex and Hampshire, 



H 



