CUCULUS CANORUS. 147 
flushed an Owl, the common Bubo maculosus, that flew to some 
distance to a clump of trees. Presently I heard an agonized scream, 
such as is made by a young antelope when just seized by a dog; and 
so exact a repetition of the sound was it, that even my dogs were 
deceived by it, and rushed off in the direction whence it came. I 
also sent off a Kafir boy, and presently followed myself, when I dis- 
covered it was the frightful scream of Schizorhis, of which a party 
were collected around the Owl I had previously disturbed, and whoso 
presence appeared to be the exciting cause. At a later period I had 
a second opportunity of verifying this observation.” 
Forehead with a long crest, which, with the entire plumage, is 
greyish ; quill-feathers dark-brownish; tail very long, hoary grey, 
with a deep greenish gloss, particularly towards the tip ; legs purplish 
black; iris brown. Length, 19 inches; tail, 10; tarsus, 1:4; 
wing, 9. 
Fig. Schl. and Westerm. Monogr. Toerak, pl. 13. 
Fam. CUCULIDA. 
133. CucuLUS CANORUS. European Cuckoo. 
The European Cuckoo visits Africa during the northern winter, 
but, as it has been more than once confounded with the ordinary 
Cuckoo of the Cape (0. gularis), we have not at present any specific 
details as to its range in the colony. It may be distinguished from 
the last named bird by having the upper mandible black as well as 
the nostrils, and by not having bars across the tip of the outer tail- 
feather. Mr. Ayres has shot it in Natal, but considers it very raro 
there. Our friend Mr. F. A. Barratt, has also killed it at a farm 
about sixteen miles north-east of Bloemfontein: elsewhere in South 
Africa it has not been recorded, but Mr. Andersson says it is 
occasionally observed in Damara Land. Specimens were in his last 
collection also from Ondonga, and Senor Anchieta has likewise pro- 
cured it at Biballa in Mossamedes. 
Adult Male.—Ahbove ashy grey, much darker on the back, where it 
is glossed slightly with greenish; the head, rump, and upper tail- 
coverts much paler grey ; wing-coverts dark grey, with scarcely any 
Lt 2 
