594 
BIRD-LIFE. 
usually perches high up in the tops of trees, selecting a 
good-sized branch, as also upon posts and poles; in 
short, anywhere where it can command a good view all 
round, for it trusts no man, is careful of its own safety, 
and does not live on good terms with any other creature. 
It is so unsociable and spiteful that it will not allow 
another of its species to come within the boundary of 
its own beat, and always gets into a towering rage when 
a strange Cuckoo dares to intrude upon its privacy. Even 
when migrating it never associates with others of its 
kind, excepting where caterpillars abound, when it has 
occasionally been seen in flocks. Its flight resembles that 
of a Hawk, especially of the Kestrel; and this resemblance 
is probably the reason why the Cuckoo is so mobbed by 
the smaller birds. It will dart with the rapidity of an 
arrow between branches, round corners, and through 
bushes, with the greatest address; it rarely, however, 
cares to traverse a large space at a time. The male is 
almost always seen in company with the hen bird, the 
latter closely following behind her mate, and often 
alighting on the same branch, though rarely perching 
close by him, for the mutual relationship between the 
two seems to be of a peculiar character. As soon as the 
male reaches a tree he immediately emits his well-known 
cry, which, by the way, may be imitated on a common 
flute to perfection, by sounding the notes f sharp and 
d natural in the middle octave; the cry is, with a little 
practice, easily reproduced with the mouth and hand held 
before it. During the summer the call is increased by 
repeating the first syllable: this note, expressive of pas¬ 
sion, is, however, rarely repeated more than three times, 
when it is followed again by “ Cuckoo,” as usual. This 
bird commences calling before one o’clock in the morning, 
