CUCULID^ — THE CUCKOOS. 489 



It is common throughout tlie West Indies, and in South America as far south 

 as Brazil. Gosse states it to be one of the most abundant birds of Jamaica- 

 In speaking of its breeding habits he mentions that it was universally main- 

 tained Ijy the inhabitants that these birds unite and build in company an 

 immense nest of basket-work, made by the united labors of the flock. This 

 is said to be placed on a high tree, where many parents bring forth and edu- 

 cate a common family. This statement is reiterated by Mr. Hill, who says 

 that a small flock of about six individuals build but one large and capacious 

 nest, to which they resort in common, and rear their young together. 



In July Mr. Gosse found the nest of one of these birds in a guczuma 

 tree. It was a large mass of interwoven twigs, and was lined with leaves. 

 There were eight eggs in the nest, and the shells of many others were scat- 

 tered beneath the tree. 



Mr. Newton found these birds very common in St. Croix. He mentions 

 meeting with a nest of this species June 17. It was about five feet from 

 the ground, on a large tamarind-tree. He speaks of it as a rude collection 

 of sticks and twigs, large and deep, partly filled with dry leaves, among 

 which were fourteen eggs, and around the margin were stuck upright a few 

 dead twigs of tamarind. Five days afterwards he went to the nest, where he 

 found but nine eggs, two of which he took. Three days later he found but 

 four eggs in the nest, it having been robbed in the interim ; but six days 

 afterwards the number had again been increased to eight. He never found 

 the eggs covered up as if intentionally done. The nest was evidently com- 

 mon property. There were generally two or three birds sitting close to or 

 on it, and up in the tree perhaps four or five more, who would continue 

 screeching all the time he was there. Mr. ISTewton adds that when the egsr 

 is fresh tlie cretaceous deposit on the shell is very soft and easily scored, 

 but it soon hardens. It is mentioned in De Sagra's list as one of tlie com- 

 mon birds of Cuba. 



Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his interesting paper (Ibis, July, 1871) on the 

 birds of Brazil, mentions finding this species very common at Santo Paulo. 

 There was scarcely an open piece of ground where there were but few bushes 

 that had not its flock of these birds. They were especially fond of marshy 

 ground. They were also often to be seen running about among a lierd of 

 cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by the animals. They seemed utter- 

 ly regardless of danger, and would scarcely do more than flit from one bush 

 to another, even when the numbers of their flock were being greatly thinned. 

 When concealed in the long grass, they would allow themselves to be almost 

 trodden on before rising. The Brazilians seldom molest them, as their flesh 

 is not good to eat. 



This bird is known as the Black Witch in St. Croix, — a name Mr. Newton 

 supposes to be due to its peculiar call-note, which sounds like quc-yucli. Its 

 familiar habits and its grotesque appearance make it universally known. It 

 is a favorite object of attack to the Chickaree Flycatcher, in which encoun- 



voL. II. 62 



