GREY CUCKOO. 443 
orange feathers which cover some of these birds are sometimes em- 
ployed for ladies’ adornments. This fashion has passed from Brazil 
and Peru into Europe, and muffs made of the throats of Toucans 
sell at a great price. 
The Common Toucan (Rhamphastos ariel, Fig. 170) 1s very 
numerous in its habitat, and consequently best known in Europe. 
The Curl-crested Aracari (Preroglossus ulocomas, Fig. 171) 1s deserving 
of notice on account of its beautiful variegated plumage. 
CUCKOOS. 
The general characteristic of the birds ranked in this family are 
—-slightly-curved beaks of medium dimensions, wings generally short 
and concave, and tapering tails. Among the Cuckoos are com- 
prehended Honey-guides, Anis or Annos, Barbets, Trogons, and 
Touracos or Plaintain-eaters. Cuckoos have elegant shapes ; beaks 
almost as long as the head, compressed, and slightly curved; the 
tail rather long and rounded. Unlike other birds of the same family, 
they have long and pointed wings. Their size is about that of the 
Turtle-Dove. ‘Their flight is light and rapid, but they are unable to 
bear strong winds ; thus, they cannot accomplish great journeys with- 
out resting. There are a great number of known species belonging 
to all the countries of the old continent. 
Europe only possesses one species, the Grey or European Cuckoo, 
which has been carefully studied, and to which what we have to say 
regarding this group of birds applies. Grey Cuckoos are essentially 
migratory. They pass the warm season in Europe, and the winter 
in Africa or in the warm parts of Asia. They arrive in France in the 
month of April, and leave it at the end of August or the beginning 
of September. ‘They travel during the night, not in numerous bands, 
but alone, or in groups of two or three at the most. They prefer 
to seek their nourishment in woods, avoiding if possible the open 
country. ‘Their utility cannot be doubted, as insects and caterpillars 
are their favourite food. They are very voracious, which accounts 
for the enormous capacity of their stomachs. Of a tyrannical nature, 
they suffer no rival of their species in the neighbourhood which they 
have chosen. On account of this unsociable disposition, the Grey 
Cuckoos, when captured after attaining maturity, are unable to 
accommodate themselves to confinement, so starve themselves to 
death.* Young birds are less restive, and gradually accustom 
* More probably starve to death, as they cannot in confinement obtain the 
animal food to which they have become necessitated through previous use. —ED. 
