THE CUCKOO. 
75 
Anis, are American. The Jacamars are nearly 
allied to the Kingfishers, living, however, on in- 
sects instead of fish, and building on low branches 
in the depth of dark and damp forests, instead of 
in holes by the water- side. The Anis, like the 
Jacamars, frequent the woods, but seem to he of a 
much more social nature. If taken young, they 
may he easily tamed, and even taught to speak some 
words. Amongst themselves, too, they are the most 
friendly birds imaginable, for they not only fly in 
flocks, hut lay and sit, many pairs together, in one 
large nest, built by joint consent for the whole party. 
Future travellers, we doubt not, will be able to relate 
many interesting anecdotes of these sociable happy 
birds, but at present little more is known about them 
than what we have related. 
Not so, however, of our British cuneiform birds, 
our Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, and Wrynecks. Every- 
body s attention is drawn to the first, whether he 
will or no. For as soon as Winter is well over, and 
“ April showers prepare the way for May flowers,” 
we hear the Cuckoo’s note. It would be difficult to 
say whether we should call them solitary birds or 
not. Usually, indeed, one only is seen; but not 
unfrequently three, four, or even more, will assemble 
upon a tree, and make the air resound with their 
well-known notes, uttered sometimes as they remain 
perched, at others as they quiver through the air with 
an odd sort of wild fluttering flight. It appears, 
however, from good evidence, that they either quit 
their winter- quarters together, or falling in with 
each other on the journey, land in little flocks. 
Some years ago, at dawn of day, early in the Spring* 
