( 90 ) 



Pere David says that ib does not 

 range further north than the Yellow 

 Eiver. Dr. Bergen has taken a num- 

 ber of specimens in Shantung very 

 near the river and it seems likely that 

 it may also cross over and go further 

 north. 



ORDER.-CUGULIFORMES, CUGKOO-LIKE 

 BIRDS. 



This order possesses the "yoke toed" 

 foot caused by the first and fourth toes 

 being permanently directed backv^ard, 

 similar to the Woodpeckers. Structu- 

 rally, hovpever, they quite distinct. 



Further characteristics of the order 

 ai'e largely anatomical and are not 

 necessary in our present treatment. 



Family, Cuculldae, The Cuckoos. 



The characteristics of the Cuckoos 

 are : feet small and weak ; toes two in 

 front and two behind ; bill medium in 

 size and length and slightly curved 

 downward ; tail feathers ten in number 

 and soft ; contour feathers without an 

 aftershaft. 



Cuckoos are as a rule solitary birds 

 inhabiting wooded areas. Their flight 

 is generally weak, and only from tree 

 to tree. They possess strange vocal 

 powers, and their weird calls are 

 frequently the origin of their popular 

 names. Many species are remarkable 

 for the irregularity of their breeding 

 habits, depositing their eggs in the nests 

 of other birds, and leaving the rearing 

 of the young to their foster parents. 



The young are hatched naked, and 

 do not pass through a downy stage 

 before acquiring their feathers. 



There are about 225 species of 

 Cuckoos distributed over the world 



