Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 2).djvu/188



The peculiar note of the cuckoo is well known, but it is not always recognised that the note changes according to the time of year, being at first full and clear, but towards the middle of August becoming hesitating, hoarse, and broken. The voice of a female cuckoo is quite distinct from the well-known note of the male, and has been compared to the sound made by pouring water out of a narrow-necked bottle. Robert Browning, in one of his poems speaks of

It will be seen, however, from the music here given, that the cuckoo's "one word" is not a minor third, but a major fourth.

The thrush, or throstle (called by the Scotch, mavis), is distinguished among British singing birds by the clearness and fulness of its note. Its song is exceedingly sweet, and wonderfully varied. Moreover, it begins earlier in the year, and continues later than any other songster, while vieing with the nightingale in the lateness of its daily song. It will be found that there is much more freedom of style, as well as of originality of treatment, in the song of the wild bird than in that of the caged one; yet, in both instances, the purity of tone is, perhaps, the most remarkable feature. The caged thrush, in losing its liberty, generally forfeits its originality, being easily influenced by and adopting the notes of other birds, and, what is still more remarkable, their style and attitudes when singing. Thus, a thrush has been seen singing like a robin, and imitating, not only its notes, but its manner of drooping its head and tail.