PLATE LX. 
The Cuckoo 
Is a bird whofe vifits are conftant to us about May, and is remarkable for its fong, which confifts 
only of two notes. Being a bird not eafy to approach it is feldom caught, the young ones are fonne- 
times taken, but are unlike the old ones in fhape as well as in colour: the old ones are fo much 
alike 'tis difficult to diftinguilh male from female, and are frequently heard before they are feen; 
they are a bird in flight like the Hawk, being full of feather and poor in flefli ; their food is cater- 
pillars, &c. On a clear fine day they are generally on the tops of trees, but in hazy dull weather keep 
clofe to the hedges ; they make no neft but depofit their egg, for they lay but one, in fome fmall 
bird's neft, firft fucking the eggs already in the neft : The Hedge Sparrow is the bird in general 
which they make choice of as a nurfe for their offspring; I have known inftances of their occupymg 
a Water-wagtail's neft, but they prefer the former, who hatches and provides for the young Cuckoo 
till it encreafes fo much in fize that the little nurfe approaches its care with great terror, but ftill con- 
tinues to fulfill the duty committed to its charge 'till the Cuckoo is able to provide for itfelf Tlie 
egg much refembles that of the Hawk in colour, but fmaller; it is a light brown fpotted with 
a darker colour. The Cuckoo continues its fong with us but a fhort time. 
■ . While I deduce 
From the firft note the hollow Cuckoo fings. 
The fymphony of Spring ; and touch a theme 
Unknown to Fame, the PaJTiim of the Gioves. 
THOMSON. 
