THIRD SEASON (1920) : RECORD 59 
could see her through the leaves. She was almost 
straddled along a thin branch with her keen eyes 
gazing intently downwards in a direct line for the 
nest. Suddenly she would start “ mewing ” in a 
subdued tone. Whether or no this peculiar sound 
could be heard by the Meadow Pipits I cannot say, 
but as she “ mewed ” so the Pipits, and particularly 
the male, flew from the vicinity of their nest (6 2 ) 
and came hovering and fluttering over and around 
the Cuckoo, darting at her from time to time and 
apparently causing her to be considerably irritated. 
At times she yawned, and as she sat there it really 
looked as though she were resting her rump along 
the bough. Time and again we felt satisfied that 
at last we were going to see the Cuckoo reveal her 
secret. The suspense continued until about 4 p.m 
when the Cuckoo was suddenly disturbed by two 
girls passing under the tree. Imagine our feelings ! 
Flying away round the common the Cuckoo 
soon returned to the same tree, hopped on to the 
same thin branch, and immediately began watching 
the Pipits again. At 4.35 p.m. she suddenly 
launched herself out of the tree, glided gracefully 
in a direct line down to the side of the nest, the 
male Pipit accompanying her. Alighting at the 
nest for a few brief seconds, she rose and flew, 
