QUEENSLAND and NORTHERN TERRITORY 59 



species of large cuckoos wander and fix their abode. 



a. Pheasant Coucal : b. Channel Bill : c. Koel. 

 The Coucal is the only Australian cuckoo which 

 builds a nest and rears its young: the plumage of 

 such wonderful callow young that the world knew 

 in the adult stage centuries ago. It has long since 

 disapperaed. This truly owned nest is placed by 

 preference in rank grass, and the young are fed on 

 all sorts of things. 



The Channel Bill is found in the Celebes and 

 very occasionally in Tasmania, so it has a wide 

 range. It also has several lines of migration. The 

 "flood bird" is the largest of our cuckoos with a 

 fondness for laying its eggs in the nests of the 

 Crow and Bell-Magpie. 



Floods appear to be a governing factor in their 

 distribution, the natives in certain quarters speak- 

 ing of it as the flood bird. Although the Channel 

 Bills do not rear their young, they gather them 

 together in preparation for the migration flight, 

 simply saying good bye to crows and magpies for 

 that season. 



The Koel, in the male sex, is a metallic black 

 cuckoo. The young in both sexes are black like 

 th male parent, which is most unusual. The hen 

 bird changes from black to brown. Sometimes it 

 is known as the brain fever bird. It is a little 

 trying in the tropical heat of the day to hear 

 nothing but the monotonous call of one animal. 



