96 



2. Descriptions of Two New Species of true Cuckoos 



(Genus Cuculus as restricted). 



By John Gould, F. R. S. 



Cuculus strenuus, Gould. 



Crown of the head, back of the neck, cheeks and chin dark grey; 

 all tlie upper surface, including the upper tail-coverts, olive-brown, 

 with shining purplish reflexions ; tail olive-brown, crossed by four 

 bands of darker brown, and tipped with bufiy white ; throat white, 

 pashing into the chestnut, which forms a band aeross tlie lower part 

 of the chest, each feather also has a double mark of black and chest- 

 nut dowu the centre ; breast and upper part of the abdomen wliite, 

 crossed by semicrescentic bands of very dark brown bordcred with 

 pale chestnut-red ; edge of the shoulder, lower part of the abdomen, 

 vent and under tail-coverts white ; upper mandible olive ; lower 

 mandible yellow ; irides and feet rich yellow. 



Totai length, lo| inches; bill, lį; wing, 9|; tail, 9. 



Hab. Manilla. 



Remark. — In outward appearance this species so nearly resembles 

 the Cuculus sparverioides, that one description w'ould nearly sers'e 

 for both ; but in size it so far exceeds that bird, as well as every 

 other true Cuckoo I have yet scen, that I have no doubt of its being 

 distinct, and I have therefore assigned it a separate specific appel- 

 lation, and have selected the term strenuus, as indicative of its great 

 size and strength. 



The specimen from which the above description was taken now 

 forms part of the collection at the British Museum. 



Cuculus hyperythrus, Gould. 



Crown of the head, all the upper surface and wings dark slate- 

 grey ; spurious wings white ; lores, ear-coverts, moustache, and a 

 spot on the chin black ; throat white, with a fine line of brown down 

 the shaft of each feather ; under surface dull rusty-red ; tail grey, 

 crossed by two narrovv irregular bands of black bordered with brown, 

 and by a very broad band of black near the extremity, the tip being 

 reddish-brown ; upper mandible black ; lower mandible and feet 

 yellow. 



Totai length, \\\ inches; bill, lį; wing, 8; tail, 6^. 



Hab. China. 



Remark. — In size this species is rather less than the Cuculus 

 canorus of Europe, and is altogether less elegant in its general con- 

 tour. The rufous colouring of the breast and under surface, and the 

 black marks on the cheeks and throat, characters seldoni seen among 

 the Cuculidce, are the features by which it may be distinguished. 



The specimen described, likę the preceding, is deposited in the 

 National Collection. 



