286 TRT BIRDS OF BENGAL 



an absolutely Bohemian life in utter 

 disregard of all public opinion. Its iniqui- 

 tous life did not escape the notice of the 

 Sanskrit poets, who expressed their convic- 

 tions in no less uncertain terms. But 

 with all its faults, the Indian loves it 

 dearly, and will continue to do so. 



Four species of the Cucididae are 

 commonly caged in India. These are — 

 (1) the Koel (Eudynamis honorata), (2) 

 the Papiyil or the Hawk-Cuckoo (Uiero- 

 €occyx varius)y (3) the Bou-Katha-Kao or 

 the Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus mio'opterm) 

 and (4) the Shah-bulbul or the Indian 

 crested Cuckoo {Coccystes jacohmu^). 

 Among these, the Koel and the Bou- 

 katha-kao are the most popular eage- 

 favourites, the other two being next in 

 importance. 



The Cuckoos form a large community 

 among the aves of India. The total num- 

 ber of the various species of the cuckoo 

 is more than fifty. Many of them have 

 a wide range of distribution, while some 



