In April the cuckoo shows his bill

20 April

Lore and belief

Chambers calls this a very common English rhyme on the cuckoo’s season. In April the bird shows his bill, in May he sings all day, in June he changes his tune, in July he gets ready to fly, and in August go he must. He gives it beside the Worcestershire belief that the cuckoo was never heard before Tenbury fair day.

In April The cuckoo shows his bill; In May He is singing all day

From Chambers's Book of Days, vol. 1, pp. 529-530. Read the original

Get a copy: Amazon · Bookshop.org · AbeBooks

We may earn a small commission if you buy through these links.

Also on this day

Questions and comments