338 



SCANSORES. 



SUB-FAMILY 



Saurotherin.e."' 



TJie Rain Cuckoos. 



Gkn. Charac. — Bill long, with the culmen nearly straight towards the tip, 

 which is suddenly curved and hooked ; the sides much compi-essed, and the 

 gonys long and slightly ascending; the nostrils lateral and partly exposed; 

 the wings moderate and rounded ; the tail lengthened and graduated; the 

 tarsi more or less long, and covered in front with transverse scales ; the toes 

 more or less unequal; the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



FiGr, 138. — THE LONG BILLED RAIN CUCKOO. 



{Saurotkera vetula.) 



The Rain Cuckoos are found in tlie islands of the 

 West Indies, and in South America. They frequent 

 woods and hedges throughout the year, feeding on 

 seeds, small worms, and caterpillars ; moreover, they 

 are said to kill snakes, frogs, young rats, and small 

 birds. On the ground they move by leaps. Their 



* aavpojTtiQ, sauroter, a s^nke ; So called on account of its long 

 tail. 



