CUCULID.E — THE CUCKOOS. 439 



It is common throughout the West Indies, and in South America as far south 

 as r)razil. Gosse states it to be one of the most abundant birds of Jamaica- 

 In speaking of its breeding habits he mentions that it was universally main- 

 tained by tlie inhabitants that these birds unite and build in company an 

 immense nest of basket-work, made by tlie united labors of the flock. This 

 is said to be placed on a liigh tree, where many parents bring forth and edu- 

 cate a common family. This statement is reiterated by Mr. Hill, who says 

 that a small flock of about six individuals build but one large and capacious 

 nest, to which they resort in common, and rear their young together. 



In July Mr. Gosse found the ne.st of one of these birds in a tjurzuma 

 tree. It was a large mass of interwoven twigs, and was lined with leaves. 

 There were eight eggs in the nest, and the shells of many others were scat- 

 tered beneath the tree. 



JNIr. Newton found these birds very common in St. Croix. He mentions 

 meeting with a nest of this species June 17. It was about five feet from 

 the ground, on a large tamarind-tree. He speaks of it as a rude coUectiou 

 of sticks and twigs, large and deep, partly filled with dry leaves, among 

 which were fourteen eggs, and around the margin were stuck upright a few 

 dead twigs of tamarind. Five days afterwards he went to the nest, where he 

 found but nine eggs, two of which he took. Three days later he found but 

 four eggs in the nest, it having been robbed in the interim ; but six days 

 afterwards the nunilier had again been increased to eight. He never found 

 the eggs covered up as if intentionally done. The nest was evidently com- 

 mon property. There were generally two or three birds sitting close to or 

 on it, and up in the tree perhaps four or five more, wlio would continue 

 screeching all the time he was there. ]\Ir. Xewton adds that when the egg 

 is fresh the cretaceous deposit on the shell is very soft and easily scored, 

 but it soon hardens. It is mentioned in De Sagi-a's list as one of tlie com- 

 mon birds of Cuba. 



Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his interesting paper (Ibis, July, 1871) on tiie 

 birds of Brazil, mentions finding this species very common at Santo Paulo. 

 There was scarcely an open piece of ground where there were but few bushes 

 that liad not its flock of the.se birds. They were especially fond of marshy 

 ground. They were also often to be seen running about among'a herd of 

 cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by the animals. Tliey seemed utter- 

 ly regardless of danger, and would scarcely do more than flit from one liusli 

 to another, even when the numbers of their flock were being greatly tliinned. 

 "When concealed in the long grass, they would allow themselves to be almost 

 trodden on before rising. The Brazilians seldom molest them, as their flesh 

 is not good to eat. 



This bird is known as the Black Witch in St. Croix, — a name Mr. ISTewton 

 supposes to be due to its peculiar call-note, which sounds like quc-yiich. Its 

 familiar habits and its grotesque appearance make it universally known. It 

 is a favorite ol)ject of attack to the Chickaree Flycatcher, in \\'hich encoun- 



VOL. II. ()-2 



