This print is from The Book of Birds, by A.M. Llysaght. A hefty book full of a brilliant timeless variety of bird illustrations. This cuckoo is a plate by G. P. Olina, Rome, 1684.
My Usborne spotter guide book of birds (London, 1978).
This is the book I grew up with as a trusty reference guide to birds. I still haven't seen a cuckoo, so the circle doesn't yet have a tick in it. I wonder if I will ever get to see a cuckoo?!
The sadly dated book says, cuckoos are 'all over Britain in summer'.
Interesting to note that cuckoo junior is considerably more stripy and brown in contrast to the adult.
I took photos of these beautifully preserved egg collections today in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The oldest one is from 1876! 138 years old.
I have now finished reading 'Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo'. A cheerfully anecdotal and refreshing account that provokes nostalgia for many of the 'common' birds now seriously in danger. McCarthy discusses birds as integral to our soundscape, landscape history and the true essence of spring! he unravels what is so special about our birds as unique in getting to 'the heart of things'.
I'm so glad I found this book in a Helen and Douglas House charity shop!
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