166 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



chips left by the hoop-shavers, where I have often fouud them. 

 When startled while sitting, it strikes its wings violently 

 together in the manner of the Pouter and some other Pigeons, 

 though its usual flight is inaudible. This has hitherto been 

 considered the only representative in this country of the 

 Caprimulgidae, but a single specimen of the C. cegyptius has 

 been obtained in Nottinghamshire ; and an example of the 

 large South-European species, C. ruficollis, is said to have 

 been taken in Northumberland, in October 1856 (Ibis, 

 1862, p. 39). 



CUCULID^. 



CUCKOO. 



Cktculus canorus. 



Having kept notes of the arrival of the Cuckoo in this 

 county for more than thirty years, I And the earliest to have 

 occurred on the 6th of April 1844, but about the 14th is the 

 more usual date. There is a saying in Sussex that it is 

 turned out at Heathfield JPair, which is held on that day — 

 the name of this village is rusticaUy pronounced Hevel. 

 Although the Cuckoo is not strictly polygamous, seven or 

 eight may occasionally be seen chasing one another from 

 tree to tree, and at this time another syllable is prefixed to 

 the usual note, thus : " Cu-ouckoo," generally twice repeated 

 at short intervals. It has besides a clear, liquid note, which 

 I cannot express in writing, and it also chatters, on leaving a 

 • tree, somewhat in the manner of the Magpie. It is frequently 

 heard ai night even when it is wet and dark. On the 9th 

 of Maj 1846, 1 heard two uttering the note with the prefix. 



