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AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



5 233 Narrow- billed Bronze Cuckoo, Ghalcococcyx basalis, 

 15 Mai. Pen., Java, Cel., to A., T. Mig. c. open, timber 



Upper beautiful bronze-green; under barred brown, white; 

 like 234 but bill narrower; lighter brown head; paler 

 back; outer tail feathers strongly barred blackish- 

 brown, white; centre abdomen not barred; base tail 

 much chestnut; f., duller. Insects, caterpillars. 



6.2 



it is called the Scale Bird. At other times, after three running 

 notes, it repeats one note strongly. So persistent is it in calling 

 that it is called in places the Brain-fever Bird. Last Septem- 

 ber, in Castlemaine, it called all night in the street trees. Few, 

 however, seemed to notice it, and fewer still knew what was 

 uttering the persistent call. 



Possibly other birds recognize the Cuckoo as an enemy, or pos- 

 sibly its remarkable superficial resemblance to a Hawk causes 

 birds to chase it. However, in some eases, possibly, the male 

 Cuckoo does not object to being chased. He draws the birds 

 away, while the female Cuckoo quietly places an egg in a con- 

 venient nest, and retires unmolested. 



The Fan-tailed or Ash-colored Cuckoo is not so conspicuous, 

 as it keeps to more secluded places, and is a solitary bird. Its 

 flight is heavy and labored. It also has a habit of elevating 

 and lowering its tail several times both before and after flight. 

 Its frequent, plaintive, trilling note often reveals its presence, 

 which would otherwise be overlooked. 



