A
Anonymous
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Well, I’m not much of a cryptozoologist, but I was wondering if anyone could find me a picture of a gowk (cuculus geacus to all you ornithologists).
For those who haven’t come across this interesting creature, a gowk was/is a rather eccentric member of the cuckoo family. There used to be loads of them. In fact, in Tudor times they were a positive pest. Hence the ancient rhyme "Ne’er laughe, ne’er smyle, Hunte ye gowke anothyr myle."(Ben of ‘Ness, ‘Bardic rymes o’ Caladonya’ on Vellum 1528)
Now, I always thought that they were extinct (certainly Victorian ornithologists thought so). However, I’ve heard rumours from my twitcher friends (bird watchers – crazy names, crazy guys), that there are gowks to be seen. At least one breeding pair in North Scotland (somewhere near the Kyle of Tongue or thereabouts). I’d usually ignore such blather, but I’ve heard it from several reliable sources.
So, can anyone help me with my quest? Looks a bit like a cuckoo, but has bright blue plumage (much like an American Jay), possibly a pinkish tail feather, and a much bigger wing-span. Apparently, they have a tendency to strut and sing in a “mannyre straynge” (Geo. Psalmanazar, ‘On Byrds’ pamphlet - 1654). Whatever that means. And, much like the South American dog-eating eagle, they can turn nasty, liking to attack bears, and once famously dive-swooping the annual ‘Washing of the Lions’ ceremony at the Tower of London (in the days when the menagerie was still there, obviously). This caused “severalle ladyes grande to faeinte & yon chickenes to losse theer teethe.” Lord Buckley, ‘Myne Drynke & Druckes Helle’ 1700, facsimile in British Museum). Blimey.
Your assistance in the hunt for the gowk much appreciated.
Cheers
Is this thread in the right place?
For those who haven’t come across this interesting creature, a gowk was/is a rather eccentric member of the cuckoo family. There used to be loads of them. In fact, in Tudor times they were a positive pest. Hence the ancient rhyme "Ne’er laughe, ne’er smyle, Hunte ye gowke anothyr myle."(Ben of ‘Ness, ‘Bardic rymes o’ Caladonya’ on Vellum 1528)
Now, I always thought that they were extinct (certainly Victorian ornithologists thought so). However, I’ve heard rumours from my twitcher friends (bird watchers – crazy names, crazy guys), that there are gowks to be seen. At least one breeding pair in North Scotland (somewhere near the Kyle of Tongue or thereabouts). I’d usually ignore such blather, but I’ve heard it from several reliable sources.
So, can anyone help me with my quest? Looks a bit like a cuckoo, but has bright blue plumage (much like an American Jay), possibly a pinkish tail feather, and a much bigger wing-span. Apparently, they have a tendency to strut and sing in a “mannyre straynge” (Geo. Psalmanazar, ‘On Byrds’ pamphlet - 1654). Whatever that means. And, much like the South American dog-eating eagle, they can turn nasty, liking to attack bears, and once famously dive-swooping the annual ‘Washing of the Lions’ ceremony at the Tower of London (in the days when the menagerie was still there, obviously). This caused “severalle ladyes grande to faeinte & yon chickenes to losse theer teethe.” Lord Buckley, ‘Myne Drynke & Druckes Helle’ 1700, facsimile in British Museum). Blimey.
Your assistance in the hunt for the gowk much appreciated.
Cheers
Is this thread in the right place?