CUCKOO. 
CUCULUS CAN ORUS. 
There are few parts of Great Britain to which the Cuckoo is not a well-known summer visitor, bein«- 
especially numerous in some of the wildest districts of the north of Scotland. The rocks and heather of the 
Highland glens arc fully as attractive to this singular species as the plantations and extensive reed-beds of 
the east of Norfolk or the furze-covered downs of Sussex. After reaching our shores in spring, Cuckoos 
apparently proceed with but little delay towards their haunts, few remaining for any length of time in the 
neighbourhood of the coast. Por a day or so they may he seen flitting along the hedgerows, invariably 
attracting attention as they flap slowly over the bushes (their manner of flight somewhat resembling that of 
the smaller Hawks) ; the wanderers, however, speedily pass over, and the vicinity of the shore is deserted, except 
by an occasional straggler, till the return journey is entered upon early in autumn. 
It is probable that Cuckoos return regularly to their accustomed haunts, from which during the season 
they seldom stray any considerable distance. Though failing to catch a glimpse of the bird, I was frequently 
informed a few years back, by keepers, shepherds, and others, of a Cuckoo exhibiting red or tawny 
plumage, that was seen for two or three seasons resorting to a well-sheltered valley in the South Downs. 
During the latter part of May and early in June 1870 I repeatedly observed a male of this species, showing a 
broad patcli of white on the wings, skimming over the marshes and round the reed-beds about Ilickling Broad 
in Norfolk; in the following year a bird with much the same markings was again seen frequenting the 
same localities. 
Though several facts still remain to be ascertained, the breeding-habits of the Cuckoo have been so fully 
described by many authors that most of the peculiarities of this singular species are now generally well known 
to all who take an interest in bird-life ; the extraordinary manner in which the young eject their companions 
from the nest has also been accurately depicted. The observations that I have been enabled to make on this 
subject throw no further light on the habits of the bird, and may consequently he passed over. 
The following extracts from my notes for May 1872 tend to prove that the egg is laid on the ground and 
then conveyed to the nest. Having marked down a Green Sandpiper, in a dyke in the Potter-Heigham 
marshes, I followed the bank round towards the spot where the bird was lost sight of. On looking cautiously 
over a thorn bush which had effectually concealed my approach, the Sandpiper rose and was at once 
secured. At the report of the gun a Cuckoo fluttered from the sloping bank within a yard of where I stood, 
and on examining the spot (a bare patch among brambles, weeds, and rough grass) an egg was discovered 
lying on the ground. There could not he the slightest doubt as to its identity, and the bird was evidently a 
female ; in all probability, unless so suddenly alarmed, she would have removed it on rising on wing. 
I am inclined to believe that whatever may he the position of the nest, the egg is invariably laid on the 
ground and then transported to the spot selected. In May 1883 I happened to catch sight of a female 
Cuckoo skimming slowly over a rush-marsh in the east of Norfolk ; a Pipit was following closely in attendance, 
