Birds. 917 



attempts to get again within shot ; leaving me somewhat at a loss to 

 decide whether I ought to consider myself more fortunate in having 

 obtained sight of the bird, or unfortunate in having seen and yet failed 

 to obtain it. On the whole, I am disposed to congratulate myself on 

 my good fortune ; for how many of your readers, how many of the 

 species, or, rather, genus, British naturalist, have succeeded in seeing 

 the hoopoe, alive in this country ? — and, what is better, have in their 

 collection a specimen which they can warrant to be British ? For 

 such I have, as the sequel of my tale will tell. On the following 

 morning I was on the alert by six o'clock ; but a neighbour, to whom 

 I bad given the hint, was still earlier : and the bird was safe in my 

 possession before seven. 



The Cuckoo is as plentiful as in most distiicts. But knowing as 

 little of this bird's history, as of that of almost any one British bird, 

 I feel disposed to record my ignorance. I may thereby induce some 

 reader of, or writer in ' The Zoologist,' to give the desired information. 

 I am not satisfied that cuckoos do not pair ; though I think they do 

 not. I am not satisfied the female does not utter a note similar to 

 that of the male ; though I think she does not. I do not quite like 

 the story of the young cuckoo ousting its fellow nestling ; for I doubt 

 its physical ability to do so. I cannot feel assured that the cuckoo 

 is so wanting in maternal affection as is commonly believed; for 

 Mr. J. E. Gray has on two occasions observed the contrary. I am 

 not convinced the cuckoo robs the nests of other birds ; though I 

 think it does. I have never had the good fortune to find a nest with 

 a cuckoo's egg in it ; and have, therefore, lacked opportunity of 

 making observation. Excuse, Mr. Editor, this disclosure of my igno- 

 rance and ill fortune : it may bring you a useful and interesting paper 

 from some more knowing and more fortunate correspondent. 



The Kingfisher is not uncommon. In the autumn of last year 

 (1844) kingfishers were unusually abundant. I am at a loss to 

 account for this ; but such was the fact. I cannot think all that 

 were seen were bred in the island. Mr. Butler, of Yarmouth, wrote 

 me word in the early part of September, that, during the preceding 

 month, he had thirteen kingfishers brought to him. On my return 

 home, at the end of August, I found a pair of kingfishers frequenting 

 the pond in Bonchurch ; and for many weeks one might be seen on 

 the sea-shore off Dunnose. R. Loe also remarked this unusual 

 abundance ; and told me that other persons had observed and men- 

 tioned it to him. 



The Sivallow certainly remains with us somewhat later than it is 



