File:Birds of Britain (1907) (14568773608).jpg

Identifier: birdsofbritain00bonh (find matches)
Title: Birds of Britain
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Bonhote, J. Lewis (John Lewis), 1875-1922 Dresser, Henry Eeles, 1838-1915
Subjects: Birds -- Great Britain
Publisher: London, A. and C. Black
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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n plumage.Length 122 in.; bill 2*5 in.; wing 6 in. THE CUCKOO Cuculus canorus, Linnaeus The arrival of the Cuckoo, as heralded by his well-knownnote, is eagerly awaited by every one who lives in the country,ornithologist or otherwise, and so anxious are some to recordhis arrival, that they persuade themselves that they haveheard him before the March winds have abated. Thereis little doubt, however, that this species rarely, if ever,arrives in March, and not before mid-April can his pleasingnote be generally heard. Throughout the whole of ourislands this bird is common and well known, inhabitingequally the wild open country, the enclosed arable land,or thickly-wooded estates. It feeds entirely on insects,especially caterpillars, those of the common Tiger-mothbeing an especially favourite delicacy. Its flight is directand fairly rapid, the short wings and long tail giving it verymuch the appearance of a Sparrow-Hawk, for which it is i86 CUCKOO Cuculus canorusAdult (below). Young (above)
Text Appearing After Image:
The Cuckoo frequently mistaken by the smaller birds, and mobbedaccordiagly. This bird solves housekeeping difficulties in the simplestway by leaving its eggs to the tender mercies of otherspecies. It apparently usually watches other birds whenbuilding, and as soon as the chosen nest contains a feweggs, it lays its own egg on the ground, and picking it upin its beak deposits it in the nest, throwing out at thesame time a few of the rightful eggs. The eggs are, as arule, deposited one by one in a different nest of the samespecies, and when two Cuckoos eggs are found in the samenest, they are almost assuredly the produce of two differentbirds. Having deposited its eggs, the mother Cuckootakes no further interest in her progeny, but continues tolead a life of leisure, till early in August both sexes leaveus for their southern winter-quarters. The eggs of thisspecies are extremely variable, but as a rule are of a palebluish or greenish ground colour, with reddish spots andmottlings; someti

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