^86 NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



459. — Chalcococcyx pcecilurus, G. R. Gray. 

 C. i-ui'>atus, Gould. 



RUFOUS-THROATED CUCKOO. 



Reference. — Ciit. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. .\ix., p. .^99. 



Geogra-pliical Distrihution. — North-west Australia, Northern Terri- 

 tory, North Queensland, also New Guinea, Amboyna, Mysol and Coram. 



Nest and Egys. — Undescribed. 



Observations. — " Similar to 0. malayaiias, but differing in having 

 no white on the forehead ; a partial narrow rufous edging on the 

 secondaries, the outer tail coverts partially barred with rufous and 

 wliito; the edges of the tail feathers washed with rufous above." 

 (Shelley.) 



460. — EuDYNAMLS CYANocEPHALA, Latham. (387) 



E. fliiidersi, Vigors and Horsfield. 



KOEL. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv., pi. gi. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xix., p. 324. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — North: Proc. Linn. See, N.S. Wales, 

 vol. ii., 2nd ser., p. 554 (1S87), also vol. x., 2nd ser., p. 215 

 (1S95); Campbell: Victorian Naturalist (rSgS). 



Geographical Distrihution. — North-west Australia, iNorthcrn Terri- 

 tory, Queen.sland and New South Wales; also New Guinea, Coram, 

 and Timor. 



Eggs. — Oval or stout oval in shape ; tcxtiu'c of shell a trifle coarse ; 

 surface glossy ; colour, pinkish-buff or fleshy-tint (as seen on the egg of 

 the Pallid Ctickoo — C. jjaUidus), sparingly and softly marked (spotted 

 and blotched), thickest about the apex, with chestnut and i)ur])lish- 

 brown. Most resembles the better kiunvn egg of the Friar Bird 

 (Philemon rorniculatus), but is co;u'ser in tcxlure. Dimensions in 

 inches (type egg) : 1-36 xr02. (Plate 17.) A narrower specimen, with 

 the ma-jority of the markings forming a caj) on the larger end : 

 1-39 X -9. 



Observations. — This fine Cuckoo, or Keel, the male specially splendid 

 for liis glossy gi'ccnish-black coat, is found chiefly in Northern and 

 Eastern Australia. It visits as far south as New South Wales, where 

 it arrives in September, departing again about March. 



I have enjoyed hearing its loud whistling call notes, which become 

 somewhat monotonous when kept up almost incessantly both day and 

 night during the breeding season. 



