81 
By many authors it has been believed 
that the Cuckow does not leave us, but 
remains in a state of torpidity, hidden in 
some hollow tree, or in faggots, &c, com- 
pletely divested of its plumage. But the 
tales they have thought proper to give us 
in proof of their assertion, have been very 
properly consigned to the class of errors. 
The migration of this bird has been satisfac- 
torily ascertained, by its visiting the island 
of Malta on its way to the continent of 
Africa, and again on its return to Europe, 
in the autumn and spring. 
The note of the male of this species, 
which is considered by Ornithologists as 
the call of love, appears to be uniform, 
and its name, in all languages to have 
been derived from that source, as for 
instance, in Latin it is Cuculus, in Italian 
Cuculo or Cucco, in Spanish Cuclillo, in 
French Coucou, in German Kuchuk, &c. 
In all countries also it is used in the same 
reproachful sense, and the bird itself was 
sometimes painted by the ancients under 
this idea, as seated upon the sceptre of 
Juno. (Silly Gowk is to this day ^n 
M 
