CUCKOOS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 107 



broad beneath ; first small ; second shorter than fourth, and 

 united at the base with the third, which is very long ; the 

 fourth or outer reversed so as with the first to oppose the rest 

 in grasping ; claws moderate, compressed, curved, acute. 



Plumage moderately full, generally compact, but various ; 

 the feathers ovate, with a very short plumule, but having the 

 downy filaments numerous and close. Wings long or of mo- 

 derate length, much rounded, the first quill short, the third 

 and fourth longest. Tail long, ample, graduated or rounded, 

 of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 



In their digestive organs the Cuculinre bear a striking re- 

 semblance to the Owls and Goatsuckers. They are for the 

 most part of an elongated form, having the body rather slender, 

 the neck short, the head rather small and oblong, the tail very 

 long, and the wings in no instance short. They fly with rapidity, 

 glide among the foliage with great celerity, advance among the 

 twigs with ease, but on the ground walk in an awkward man- 

 ner, on account of the shortness of their tarsi. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS I. CUCULUS. CUCKOO. 



Bill of moderate length, rather slender, arcuato-declinate. 

 Nostrils roundish, with a prominent margin. Feet very short, 

 slender ; tarsi feathered more than halfway down. Wings and 

 tail very long. 



1. Cuculus canorus. Grey Cuckoo. Bluish-grey above, fore 

 part and sides of neck ash-grey ; body beneath transversely 

 barred with white and dusky. " Young with the upper parts 

 barred with light-red and brown, the lower with brownish- 

 white and dusky. 



GENUS II. COCCYZUS, COWCOW. 



Bill of moderate length, slender, arcuato-declinate. Nostrils 

 linear. Feet very short, slender ; tarsi bare. Wings of moder- 

 ate length ; tail very long. 



1. Coccijzxis Amerkaims. Yelloti'-bUled Cotiroit'. Upper parts 

 greyish-brown tinged with olivaceous ; lower silvery white. 



