CUCULIDAE 



353 



The young are brown mottled witli white on the nape. Its 

 flio-ht and general coloration give the Cuckoo a distinctly Hawk- 

 like appearance, and cause it to be systematically mobbed hj 

 small birds, while ignorant peasants persecute it mercilessly, and 

 assert that it " changes to a Hawk " in winter. Certain other 

 members of the Family have the same raptorial aspect, notably 

 the Asiatic Hawk-Cuckoo {Hierococcyx) ; whereas several of the 

 Ceutropodinae unconsciously mimic Pheasants in their colour, 



Fii!. 69. — Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus. x f. 



In their red orbits and their wedge-shaped tail. Geococcyx is still 

 more like a Galline bird in some respects ; and Surniculus is a 

 decidedly good imitation of a Drongo (Dicruridae). 



In early April the Cuckoo's note heralds the approaching 

 summer in Britain, and continues to be heard until June, after 

 which it becomes hoarser and the first syllable is doubled ; in July 

 the adults begin to disappear, yet stray examples — chiefly, if not 

 entirely, young — remain up to October, when they migrate as far 

 as South Africa, Ceylon, and Celebes. None breed south of North 

 Africa and the Himalayas. The eggs are invariably deposited 

 in the nests of other birds, which rear the intruder and feed it 

 until it leaves the country ; but it is doubtful how many are 



VOL. IX 2 a 



