on the Cuckoo. 363


thing is very puzzling, and unless some more definite solution is

forthcoming how can one account for " the delicate pencilling

seen on the eggs of Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and others being

closely imitated"? I cauuot bring myself to think that this is

merely accidental and fully believe that, by some mysterious

instinct, the Cuckoo tries as far as possible to match her eggs

with those of the bird into whose nest they are deposited.

Though there are no less than four species of Cuckoos included

in the "British list" only one of these — the bird under present

consideration — is truly indigenous to our islands, and one of

whom many idle and vulgar tales have been told. Last summer

I was gravely informed by a man of good education that the

Cuckoo turned into a Hawk in the winter, and I believe this

superstition is current among country people.


It is interesting to note that many of the birds' names in

the vernacular are derived from its cry. I quote Dresser: Cozicou

gris (French); Cuco (Portugese) ; Cucji (Spanish); Cuculo (Italian);

Kuck kuk (German) ; Roe koek (Dutch) ; Kaki (Finnish); Kiekka

(Lapp.) ; Kukushka (Russian) ; Tatouk (Moorish) : Kukku

(Lepcha).


The range of the Cuckoo is given as the whole of Europe

to a little beyond the Arctic circle; Africa as far South as Natal

and Damaralaud ; Madeira and the Canaries ; Asia from lat.

67 N., the Celebes and Eastwards to Japan. The breeding

quarters are in the North and central portions of its range and it

winters in the South. I have heard the Cuckoo in the Himalayas

at an elevation of 6,000 feet, and its familiar cry seemed strangely

out of place coming from the solitude of those vast and gloomy

forests, and carried one's thoughts back to green fields and

English woods.



