One of the easiest bird calls to imitate is the cuckoo. It consists of just two notes. This European bird’s call has been adapted as the basis for a famous waltz melody from Germany or Bohemia, plus a polka or two. Also, the word has become a sad synonym for silly and/or foolish.

However, the best adaptation of those notes made by this bird is with ornate small clocks. On the front of these Old World designed clocks above the faces and hands are two small doors. On the hour, and maybe even the half hour, the doors open up and a tiny bird perched on a dinky platform or perch comes out to cuckoo the exact time.

There may have been a time when these cute little clocks were made by craftsmen in several small idyllic villages located in the Black Forest region of south Germany or in localities in Switzerland where everyone yodeled as they worked. The exteriors of the clocks were carved out of wood and intended to remind folks of the fronts and roof lines of Old World buildings. In fact, I’ve even encountered the phrase “cuckoo clock architecture” which is intended to describe the fronts of some buildings in New Ulm and over in New Glarus, Wis.., plus a multitude of buildings in Germany.

Back in the olden days these unique timepieces were wound up by manipulating two small brass chains hanging below the clocks. Now, as I will explain later, the more modern versions use a different method to activate the clocks.

Some folks seem to like hearing the sound of a cuckoo indicating the time of the day or night. Other folks like the sound of chimes or something else to indicate the hour or half hour. However, back in another era some folks didn’t particularly enjoy having their sleep disturbed by a cuckoo or any other device indicating the time

There was a time when a clock would make the cuckoo sound or some other sleep interrupting noise just once. This was understandable if the clock was indicating the half hour. However, what could really confuse the light sleeping folks was hearing the clock making just one cuckoo or other sound just once at three different times over a two-hour period. This can be easily explained. The clock was indicating it’s 12:30 a.m. the first time, 1 a.m. the second time, and 1:30 a.m. the third time.

Now the more modern versions of these clocks have sensitive sensors which deactivate the sound part of the timepieces when it’s dark. Also, the more modern versions of cuckoo clocks get their power from several small batteries instead of the windup springs.

Maybe the folks in those villages in Germany’s Black Forest region or in Switzerland are still making these handcrafted clocks in the traditional ways. Then again, maybe it’s very likely these more modern versions of cuckoo clocks are being made out of plastic moldings in some Oriental villages.

The latest two versions of cuckoo clocks are intended to be timely salutes to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps .These battery-powered timepieces are available by mail order from an Illinois firm for $149.95 each, plus a shipping charge of $15.99. Delivery will be made in four to eight weeks, according to their ad.

On a page advertising one of these clocks in a magazine from one of the veteran organizations is this commentary:

“Hand-crafted with a real wood case, sculpted artist’s resin adornments and Old World styling, this handsome timepiece features an eagle sculpture at the top, flanked by sculpted U.S. and Navy (or Marine Corps) flags. A precise quartz movement powers the clock’s hands as well as the pendulum underneath.”

The use of the word resin in this quotation clearly indicates parts of these clocks are made of plastics.

On the Navy clock the sculptured cuckoo is dressed in a sailor suit and comes out of his little bird house to announce each hour. One can assume this cute uniformed bird uses the familiar two-note song.

The Marine Corps clock has a sculptured Devil Dog emerging every hour. One can only guess as to what kind of bark or growl evolves from the bowlegged bulldog.

One can also only speculate as to what will evolve in the future for cuckoo clocks.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.