20 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



and red down to the eyes, but short wing-plumes. 

 The AustraUan Crane or Native Companion 

 {Antigone mistralasiana) is grey, with a red bare 

 head, and of large size, with dark legs, while the 

 Indian Sarus [Antigone collaris), coloured in much 

 the same way, has the upper neck bare as well 

 as the head, and pink legs, while larger than the 

 Manchurian. 



The Crowned Cranes (Balearica) are African, both 

 distinguished by -the plush-like black frontal tuft 

 and lull crest of yellow bristles ; the southern 

 kind (B. regulorum) being much paler grey than 

 the northern (B. pavonina). 



Cuckoos {CucuUdce). 



Diagnosis. — Tree-birds, with pair-toed feet, the front 

 toes with a short web at the base ; and bill with the 

 nostrils placed close to the edge of tipper jaw. 



Size. — From that of a sparrow to that of a raven. 



Form. — Bill of moderate length, but varying in thick- 

 ness, generally curved in profile, with nostril 

 nearer edge of jaw than ridge, and corner of mouth 

 below eye ; feet with short or medium shanks, with 

 four toes, fourth turned back as well as first, the 

 two front toes webbed at the base ; wings short to 

 long ; tail usually long and rounded. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Colouring variable, but 

 seldom brilliant ; often much like that of birds of 

 prey, with long thigh -plumes like these ; sexes 

 usually alike, but young generally very different ; 

 no seasonal change. Feathering in Bush-Cuckoos 

 often peculiarly coarse and " wiry." 



Young. — Naked, or with very scanty hair-like down, 

 and helpless ; in parasitic forms they are, of course, 



