64 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



him through Syria (Ibis, 1882, p. 407), f5tates that the species, unHke 

 C. canorus, migrates sociabl}' in large bands, and that he more than 

 once met with such flocks. 



The note of the male is said to be a harsh " karli, kark," and that 

 of the female " burroo, bxirroo." When on migration the birds are 

 sometimes very noisy and clamorous. The food of this species con- 

 sists of insects and largely of caterpillars. 



Like the common Cuckoo, the present species is parasitical in its 

 breeding habits, making use of other birds for the hatching of its eggs 

 and the bringing-up of its offspring. In Spain, as mentioned above, 

 the common Magpie, and occasionally the Blue-winged Magpie and 

 the Raven, are made to do duty as foster-parents. In Egpyt, the bird 

 chosen appears to be the Hooded-Crow (C. comix), and in Somaliland 

 the Fantail Raven (C. affinis), while in North-west Africa the Moorish 

 Magpie (P. mauritanka) is said to be selected for the purpose. I have 

 not myself met with the eggs of this Cuckoo, nor have I any informa- 

 tion regarding its breeding in Tunisia. Apparently the species 

 deposits a larger number of eggs than the common Cuckoo. Mr. 

 Howard Saunders says he has found as many as four of its eggs in 

 a Magpie's nest, together with six eggs of the latter bird, and in 

 Somaliland Mr. E. Lort Phillips appears to have found no less than 

 eight of its eggs in the same nest with four of C. affinis. The eggs 

 are elliptical in shape, and of a pale greenish colour with grey and 

 brown markings. They measure about 31 X 23 mm. 



