CUCULIDiE. 



345 



CUCULIN^. 



SUB-FAMILY V. 



The Cuckoos proper. 



Gen, Chabac. — Bill broad, and rather depressed at the base ; the culmen 

 curved, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is entire or slightly emar- 

 ginated ; the nostrils basal and membranous, with the opening exposed ; the 

 wings long and generally pointed ; the tail long and usually graduated ; the 

 tarsi short, partly clothed with feathers, and partly covered with broad 

 scales. 



Fig. 141. — the commojt cuckoo. 

 {Cuculus canorus.) 



These birds are peculiar to tlie warmer portions 

 of tlie Old World. They are migratory and of soli- 

 tary habits^ frequenting woody places and gardens 

 in quest of tlieir subsistence ; and generally perch in 

 bushes, or on the lower branches of trees, %ing occa- 

 sionally from one to another at short distances. Their 

 food consists principally of caterpillars, which they 



