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elusive cuckoo revealed



The afternoon was overcast and oppressive, like the gloomy hours before a 
tropical storm. Distant thunder rolled in from several directions. I walked 
to the backyard where the old rope hammock lay stretched between an oak and 
a maple. I unhooked one side and began rolling up the hammock in preparation 
for rain. Halfway through the process, I saw a flash of copper against the 
dark background of the surrounding woods. Following the blur of wings with 
my eyes, I spotted a strange-looking bird with a white breast sitting on a 
fallen cedar. The large size and  prostrate pose made me think, "nightjar?" 
Suddenly the bird fluttered up to a nearby branch. This was no nightjar. The 
pendulous tail and curved yellow bill told me in an instant -- this was my 
elusive cuckoo! As if in response to my revelation, he uttered his chuckling 
call. I stood agape, half-rolled hammock in hand, hardly noticing the weight 
of wood and rope. I watched for several minutes as he flitted from branch to 
branch, calling out and swinging his lovely tail. Suddenly he was gone, 
leaving nothing but a distant chuckle. I was reminded of the Cheshire Cat 
and his mysterious grin. Rain began falling and I quickly regained my 
senses. Hoisting the hammock on my shoulder, I headed back for the house, 
smiling like a chessy!


Leah Campbell
Blackstock, SC
leahcam@lycos.com
faeriemaiden@hotmail.com


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