persecuted by the 
constant attentions 
of their numerous 
suitors, that they 
have no time for 
nest-building. 
No credence 
should be given to 
the records of 
“early” Cuckoos 
which are pub- 
lished by the 
newspapers in 
March, or even 
in February. 
No Cuckoo 
reaches this 
country so early 
in the spring, owing to the simple reason that if it attempted 
to do so it could find no food, either during its long journey 
from Northern Africa, or when it arrived on our shores. For 
Cuckoos live entirely upon insects—chiefly caterpillars— 
which do not leave their winter quarters until April has 
fairly set in. And that the bird, even if it were to come 
over so early, should be “ heard ”’ before April is quite out of 
the question, since it loses its voice before the end of June 
IIo 
