Monday 22 March 2010

Echo

I have not heard a Cuckoo in Britain for about 10 years or more, but when I stayed with friends in the mountains above Malaga last springtime, I heard dozens. Maybe they have done what thousands of Brits do, and retired to Southern Spain.

It is strange that - given the anti-social breeding practices of this bird - it is so sadly missed by all the song-bird lovers who would happily exterminate all Magpies from their locale. At least the Magpies eat the chicks that they drag from the nests. We identify with the Cuckoo's ruthless priorities when protecting the advancement of it's off-spring, and it seems that we just cannot forgive a bad singing voice.

14 comments:

  1. We have heaps of them here (though not yet). They're probably the British cuckoos too, the ones who didn't fancy Spain. They run B&B's here in the tall trees and have ex-pat gin and nest-pillage evenings.

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  2. I wonder what Ireland has that England hasn't, that makes them take a short, left-hand detour when coming up from the south, Mise? Is it still tax-free for artists?

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  3. No shortage here Tom, but not quite yet. Next week maybe?

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  4. I don't know if I've ever seen a real cuckoo. But there are plenty of Cardinals and Finches. Have you ever heard a Mockingbird sing before? They go on and on with every bird call they've ever heard. It's hilarious.

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  5. I don't know why I capitalized all those words.

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  6. Just a mark of respect for the birds, maybe Amy? That's why I did.

    I used to try to answer telephone calls made by a starling when I was kid, Cro - no mockingbirds though.

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  7. 是 - 三江源。祝愿你。见到你很高兴。

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  8. I can vouch for the fact that there are lots of Cuckoo's in Ireland and a non feathered variety can be found in government too ;-)

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  9. There you go. Speaking Chinese again!

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  10. It might be the last time I am able to speak fluent Chinese, Cro - Google has just announced that it is pulling out, due to unacceptable tampering by the government.

    I would rather have cuckoos in the British parliament than all the money grabbing sleazeballs we have at present, Heron. When you think about it, EVERYTHING that is discussed in the house of commons is money-related - including wars and foreign policy.

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  11. I have a sign in my studio that simply says 'VOTE NO'. I think it applies to almost EVERYTHING.

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  12. I bet you spoil your papers too, Cro - just for the hell of it.

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