264 WOODPECKERS. 



performing the most ludicrous movements; then, taking advantage of the 

 surprise of the spectator, it will suddenly dart off like an arrow, and generally 

 manage to get clear away.'* 



"In pursuit of ants," writes the Rev. Mr. Wood, "it trips nimbly about the 

 trunks and branches of trees, picking them off neatly with its tongue ; it also 

 frequents ant-hills, especially when these insects are bringing out their pupas 

 to lay them in the sun, and swallows both ants and pupie at a great pace. 

 When, as in damp weather, the ants remain within their fortress, the wryneck 

 pecks briskly at the hillock until it breaks through the fragile walls of the 

 nest, and as the warlike insects come rushing out to attack the intruder upon 

 their home and to repair damages, it makes an excellent meal of them, in spite 

 of their anger and their stings." 



FAMILY IV, 

 THE CUCKOOS. CUCULID/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill of various lengths, generally slender, and more 

 or less compressed on the sides, the culmen curved to the tip, which is more or less 

 emarginated ; the nostrils lateral, and placed in a membranous groove ; the wings 

 long and generally pointed ; the tail lengthened and rounded; the tarsi more or less 

 long, and covered with broad transverse scales; the toes long and unequal; the 

 claws moderate, and more or less curved. 



The Cuckoos have feet somewhat resembling those of the 

 parrots, but there is no breadth of sole ; the tarsus is much more 

 lengthened ; and the toes, instead of being thick and strong, are 

 slender and weak. These birds never climb, but as they sit much, 

 and often for a long time, upon branches, it is necessary that their 

 feet should be of such a form as to enable them to maintain an 

 equal hold on all sides. 



The members of this family occur in both hemispheres, and, 

 indeed, in most parts of the world. They are especially abun- 

 dant in warm climates, and those which are met with in cold or 

 temperate countries are generally only summer visitors. They 

 all feed principally upon insects. In their breeding habits they 

 exhibit a remarkable dissimilarity, for whilst many species build 

 a nest and bring up their progeny, others, among which are our 

 own Cuckoos, make over the labour of incubation and the care 

 of rearing their young to other birds, in whose nests they deposit 

 their eggs. With certain exceptions, the Cuculinai have long and 

 pointed wings, and are distinguished by great powers of flight. 



