TO THE CUCKOO. 



Cuculus Canorus. (Linn.) 



Thou monotonous Bird I whom we ne'er wish away,—* 

 Who hears thee not pleas'd at the threshold of May? 

 Thy advent reminds us of all that is sweet, 

 Which Nature benignant, now lays at our feet ; — 

 Sweet flowers — Sweet meadows — Sweet birds, and 



their loves ; 

 Sweet sunshiny mornings, and sweet shady groves; — 

 Sweet smiles of the maiden — Sweet looks of the youth, 

 And sweet asseverations, too, prompted by truth ; 

 Sweet promise of plenty throughout the rich dale ; 

 And sweet the Bees' humming in meadow and vale ; 

 Of the Summer's approach — of the presence of Spring, 

 For ever, sweet Cuckoo ! continue to sing. 

 Oh who then, dear Bird ! could e'er wish thee away ? 

 Who hears thee not pleas'd at the threshold of May ?( 6 ) 



( 6 ) Order, Vjcm, (Linn.) Cuckoo the Common, the Honey 

 Guide, the Sacred, &c. 



The genus Cuculus, (Linn.) or Cuckoo, comprehends more 

 than eighty species scattered over the globe, the characteristics 

 of which are, a bill somewhat arched, tongue short, tail with ten 

 feathers, toes, two backwards, two forwards; they belong, of 

 course, to the scansorial tribe. The following are most deserv- 

 ing notice. 



The Canorus, Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo or Gookoo, is four- 

 teen inches long; body above, an ash, or rather a lead colour; 

 beneath, whitish, transversely streaked with black-brown. Two 



