MISTRESS CUCKOO 



jHE cuckoo is a household name with 

 multitud-es who, nevertheless, are 

 not only totally ignorant of its 

 appearance and habits, but who 

 know its peculiar sound — "twin notes insepa- 

 rably paired" — only by their world-wide and 

 accurate imitation. To such it has a singular 

 unreality ; while for those, too, who have act- 

 ual acquaintance with this " wandering Voice," 

 it calls forth a very different sentiment from 

 that which any other bird awakens. 



Comparatively rare and silent, and very se- 

 clusive, its very tone gives it a shadowy atmos- 

 phere, and its personality is that of something 

 distant, incorporeal. In contrast with our 

 cheerful, clear-toned songsters, that come promi- 

 nently into view, the cuckoo is a pensive spirit, 

 lurking among the trees, and at long intervals 

 uttering its singular cry, now harsh and mean- 

 ingless, now musical and melancholy, a tone 



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