',)(] ]\l('>srs. A. K. Haa^^nor <(n(l U, IT. Ivy on llie 



a yoiin^' hird of this species was taken from the nest of 

 Cinnyris afer (Scarlet-chested Sun-bird), coloured like the 

 adult female. — In December 1898 Mr. Key Ivy took a 

 yount^ female from a nest of the same species, which also 

 resembled the adult. A photograph from life was 

 obtained. In December 11)00 and on November 0th, 1901, 

 two nests of Apcdis thorarica (Bar-thi'oated Warbler) were 

 taken on Belmont Farm, Grahamstown, in almost the same 

 spot. One nest contained three small verditer-blue eggs 

 spotted with red-brown of the Warbler, and one much larger 

 egg. The other nest contained four of the Warbler's eggs 

 and another much lai'ger egg identical with the first one 

 taken. On the last occasion the Cuckoo was seen within a 

 few inches of the nest. These two eggs resembled those of 

 the Warbler in coloration, but, as will be seen from the 

 photograph (Plate III. figs. i. & v.), they are much larger and 

 differ also in sha))e, being more rounded at either extremity. 

 Other hosts of this Cuckoo are the Cardinal Woodpecker 

 {Dendropicus cardinaUs) [Victorin] and the Amethyst Sun- 

 bird (^C'mnijris anietJn/stinna) [Fitzsimmons]. 



Chrysococcyx cupreus. (Didric Cuckoo.) 

 It appears quite conclusive to us that the eggs of this bird 

 vary considerably in size, shade, and markings. In support 

 of this view we venture to submits the following renuxrks : — 

 In the first place, it has been described as ivJdfe by more than 

 one competent observer, including Mrs. Barber, Messrs. Lo 

 Vaillant and Jackson. Mr. Ayres says he took a spotted egg 

 from the ovary of a female, and that the Sparrow is the usual 

 host ; this was the case at Springfontein, O.H.C., in 1890, 

 when a large number of Didric C!uckoos were taken from the 

 nests of Passer arcvalus, but not one white egg was found ; 

 and at Modderfontein, Transvaal (vide Ilaagner, ' ibis,' 1901, 

 p. 1()). Messrs. A. I). Millar, Austin Koberts, and Major 

 S})arrow have also found it spotted {vide Journal S. A. 0. U. 

 vol. i. p. 17), while Fitzsimmons took a blue eg^" from the 

 ovary of a feiiiale. In January 1890 a nest of Parisoina 

 snlcivvHleuni (Tit-Babbler) was taken at Coleman's Farm, 



