NOTES AND QUERIES. 307 



which I have kept no record. My observations were made in the south of 

 the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. The Cuckoo arrived there in 1893, on 

 April 23rd, about the normal time, or perhaps a day or two earlier than 

 usual. — J. W. Payne (Edinburgh). 



Referring to the enquiry on this subject (p. 264), I do not think it can 

 be a common occurrence for a Cuckoo to call while on the wing. Living 

 on a Highland hill-side, which happens to be a favoured haunt of Cuckoos. 

 I have had considerable opportunities for observing their habits at pretty 

 close quarters, and in my experience Cuckoos invariably call when perching, 

 the act of calling being accompanied with considerable dilatation of the 

 throat, and an apparent muscular effort, which seems to make the perch a 

 desirable point d'appui. Calling Cuckoos constantly fly for a short distance, 

 and will re-commence calling the instant after alighting, but never, to my 

 knowledge, during flight ; although they will sometimes, when apparently 

 disturbed, fly off, uttering a low and rapid " kok-kok-kok-kok," quite distinct 

 from the " water-bubbling " note, which I have also heard, and which 

 Mr. Howard Saunders ('Manual,' 278) ascribes to the female. — Allan 

 Gordon Cameron (Ledaig, N.B.). 



My own observations lead me to think that it is most decidedly an 

 unusual occurrence ; but that Cuckoos do call at times when flying I had 

 positive ocular proof last year in the Broad District of Norfolk. The 

 swampy grounds surrounding many of the broads seem to be a perfect 

 paradise for Cuckoos, judging by the number that congregate there, and 

 dozens of them could be seen and heard in an hour's tramp over the marsh. 

 On May 2nd, 1893, 1 was out a little after daylight, and saw as usual great 

 numbers of Cuckoos perched on the stunted alders scattered all over these 

 wet marshes, most of them calling vociferously, each apparently trying to 

 outcall the other. And one of these birds was so engaged in its vocal 

 exercise that it allowed me to get within a few yards of it. When at last 

 it saw me, it slipped hurriedly off the bough on which it was sitting and flew 

 off towards the "broad," emitting at least one perfect call as it went, and 

 while still quite close to me. This is the only instance which I can per- 

 sonally adduce of a Cuckoo calling on the wing. — F. Menteith Ogilvie 

 (Sizewell House, Leiston, Suffolk). 



According to my experience, it is a common occurrence for the Cuckoo 

 to call while on the wing. The following are extracts from my note-book of 

 this year: — April 21st. Saw two Cuckoos mating this morning. The 

 usual performance : she flying away, he persistently following her, and 

 crying " cuckoo " continually in deep and beautiful tones. My sudden 

 appearance caused him to swerve away ; she stopped in her flight, alighted 

 on a tree, and looked for his coming. When he approached with his 

 mellow " cuckoo," she launched into the air and again lured him on. 

 May 11th. Cuculus canorus flew across my garden this morning, calling 



