But its coloration and general appearance are well shown in 
the coloured illustration. 
The other species of owls we may reckon as fairly common 
residents with us. They are the long and the short-eared 
owls. But they are very rarely to be seen on the wing in 
daylight. Each has the habit, when excited, of bringing the 
wings together smartly over the back, so as to produce a 
sound likened by some to the word “‘ bock.” 
Few birds have figured so largely in our literature, per- 
haps, as the cuckoo. Though heard by all, he is seen by 
few: and this because so many people fail to recognize the 
charming wastrel when they see him. In general appearance 
he recalls the sparrow-hawk. I have known even game- 
keepers confuse the two. But the cuckoo is much paler on 
the back, and the bars of the breast are finer. On the wing 
he is much slower than the sparrow-hawk ; his wings are 
shorter, and his tail is tipped with white. Immature birds 
may be recognized by their clove-brown coloration, and a 
large white patch at the nape of the neck. 
One of the most brilliantly coloured of all our native birds 
is the kingfisher. Small streams and quiet pools are its 
favourite haunts. A glance will suffice to identify it at close 
quarters, but even if one catches sight of its fleeting form at 
too great a distance to see its wonderful coloration, it can be 
distinguished by its extremely rapid and direct flight, and 
227 
