cucuLiN^. 339 



nost of tlie F;m-tailed Flycatcher {RJdpidura) . The egg is clear 

 olive-brown, somewhat paler at the smaller end. 



Three more species are recorded from Malay ana; one of which 

 (found also in S. Burmah) is of a beautifid amethystine colour 

 above, C. .vantkorhi/nchos, Horsf. The other two are C. Malay anus 

 and C. hasalis. 



The next birds belong to a peculiar section, with tlie pkimagc 

 mostly black or very dark, and it consists of two distinct genera, 

 one with the bill of Cuculas, h\xt the liead crested ; the other witli a 

 nuich stronger and deeper bill, and with the sexes permanently 

 differing in colour. 



Gen. CoccYSTES, Goger. 



Syn. Oxylophuf, Swains : Edolius^ Less. 



Char. — H^ad crested; bill slender and Caculine, but more com- 

 ])ressed, slightly curving at first, suddenly bent down at the tip, 

 Avhich is entire; nostrils b.^sal, lengthened and ovate, close to edge 

 of mandible ; wings moderate, slightly rounded ; 3rd and 4th quilLs 

 sub-equal, or 4th quill lonoest ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus 

 loiiiier than in Cuculus, not feathered ; feathers of the rump soft. 



The Cuckoos of this genus are found in Africa and India. They 

 are somewhat allied to the American Cuckoos by having a series of 

 small rudimentary plumelets as eyelashes, and by their wholly 

 unbarred plumage. They have an erectile pointed crest, and lay 

 greenish-blue enus, of larger relative dimensions than those of Ciicu- 

 lus. The Indian species are parasitic and exclusively insectivorous. 

 One extends to the south of Europe, C. glandarius, and has been 

 killed in Ireland; and it is said, but I have no doubt erroneously, 

 to build its own nest. This has a longer wing than the Indian birds, 

 and belongs to a different section, having a much more CucuUne 

 aspect. 



212. Ccccystes melanoleucos, Gmel. 



Cuculus, apud Gmelin — Blytii, Cat. 3(52 — IIorsf., Cat. 101 1 — 

 Leptosomus a[)ud Franklin — and Sykics, Cat. 12G — Oxylophus 

 eilolius, SwAiNSON; and Jekdon, Cat. 22()— O. ater, and serra- 

 toides, IloDGSO.N — O. scrratus, apud GliXY— /'u/>ii/ii, Iliud, also 



