250 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



493. Chalcites Auratus. (Gmei.) Shaw, Voi. ix., 



Pt.l, p. 127 ; ie Didric, Le Vail, Nos. 210 and 211 ; 

 Lampromorpha Chalcopepla, Vigors ; Chrysococcyx 

 Auratus, Bp. ; Cuculus Cupreus, Bodd. (aec Lath.) 



Above, shining coppery- green, mottled with white ; a white 

 stripe passes down the centre of the head, and over each eye ; 

 under parts white, barred with coppery-green on the flanks 

 and sides. Length, 7" ; wing, 4" 8'" ; tail, 3" 4'". 



This beautiful little cuckoo, known by the name of ''Didric," from 

 its oft-repeated mournful cry of " Di-di-di-didric," is extremely abun- 

 dant throughout the Karroo. At Nel's Poort, near Beaufort, I have 

 frequently seen a dozen or more in a morning, while their loud notes 

 were incessantly ringing in my ears ; they are, however, so shy that I 

 only procured three specimens in as many months. When calling, 

 they perch on the summit of some dead branch, ready to do battle 

 with any male, or engage in an amorous chase after any female that 

 comes within their ken. They pursue each other with great ardour, 

 turning, twisting, and dashing about with much rapidity. The 

 stomachs of those examined contained nothing but small insects, 

 chiefly swallowed whole. 



I also obtained specimens at the Knysna, and from still farther 

 to the Eastward. It appears in Mr. Chapman's collection, and has 

 been sent from Colesberg. 



Le Vaillant states that it lays a white egg, and gives an account of 

 the manner in which it is carried in the mouth, to be placed in the 

 nests of those birds which are selected as foster-mothers for its 

 neglected offspring. 



494. Chalcites Klaasii, Less. ; Cuculus KlaasU, 

 Vieill. ; Cuv., Vol. 2, p. 456 ; Le Coucou de Klaas 

 Le Vail., No. 212 ; Mietje of Colonists. 



Above, all shining-green, with a very slight coppery tinge ; 

 a small white streak over the eye ; under parts pure white, 

 faintly barred on the flanks ; a green patch on each side of the 

 chest, and one of the same colour on the thighs ; two centre 

 tail-feathers all green, the rest white, with narrow bars of 

 green sparsely placed up the inner webs, and a broad patch of 

 the same colour near the tip, which is pure white. The 

 female is, on the upper parts, green, profusely barred with 

 brown ; on the under side white, similarly barred with 

 coppery- green ; tail-feathers much as in the male. Length, 

 6" ; wing, 4" 2'" ; tail, 3". 



Klaas' s cuckoo is not uncommon in most wooded parts of the colony, 

 extending even as far as the Cape peninsula. It is, however, not 

 nearly so abundant as the preceding, from which it is easily dis- 

 tinguished by its cry. 



