CUCKOO. 31 



WSESSORES. CUCULIDM. 



SCAN SORES. 



PLATE CXLI. 



CUCKOO. 



Cuculus canorus. (Linn.) 



The Cuckoo is so well known to every one, that we need 

 only to remark, that, besides visiting the British Isles, this 

 bird is met with as far north as Norway, during the summer, 

 in Europe. Asia, and many parts of Africa, are also enli- 

 vened by its pleasing mellow call-note. The Cuckoo makes 

 its appearance with us in the month of April, and is ge- 

 nerally either the forerunner of summer weather, or travels 

 hither with it. The male is generally a day or two in advance 

 of the female. Their journey is performed during the night ; 

 and they frequently return to take up their abode in the 

 neighbourhood occupied by them in a former season. The 

 locality usually chosen by the Cuckoo is wherever there are 

 trees, without being at all particular as to the species, or of 

 what age or size they may be. We have seen these birds 

 most numerous where hedge-rows are very thick, and plen- 

 tifully intermixed with forest or timber trees, about rich 

 pasture land and in sheltered and secluded situations ; but 

 more than one pair is rarely seen within the bounds of a 

 certain district ; for though these birds will live peacefully 

 as neighbours, yet they do not allow of trespassers on their 

 hunting-grounds, and intruders are generally punished for 

 their temerity. The Cuckoo is a wild and timid bird, very 



