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Famity CUCULIDAE (Cuckoos) 
In Darjeeling no introduction is required to Cuculus Canorus at 
least, which is never at a loss to make itself heard, for its pretty 
co-coo is a true harbenger of spring. Those who have seen this 
light grey pigeon-like, in shape, bird, must have observed its whitish 
breast with black horizontal lines, also the long, broad racket-tail. 
This peculiarity of tail, is found, more or less prominent in all the 
true cuckoos, together with lines on the breast, in most of the spe- 
cies. Members of this family excepting Malkohas, Coucals and 
Sirkeers lay in other birds’ nests. The reason for this lack of appre- 
ciation for its eggs appear difficult to account for. It is suggested 
by some, that parasitic cuckoos lack both the constructive faculty 
and love for home life. Be that as it may, and with due deference 
to both cuckoo and its critics, a few suggestions may not seem unrea- 
sonable. Food of these Cuckoo, Canorus more so perhaps, is chiefly 
composed of small hairy green caterpillars. Long lines of, one 
species of these particular insects are seen crawling—follow the 
leader style, which wander, as if, aimlessly across our paths and hill 
roads, and up tall ever-green. trees, before the Cuckoo has arrived 
in Darjeeling. This we might take it, is the Commissariat, which 
is in advance. Such small mouthfuls as these caterpillars represent 
would require constant feeding for the Cuckoo and general activity, 
when not giving us a song. Eggs of Cuckoos are small in compari- 
son to size of the bird. From details collected, it has been noticed 
that the Cuckoo lays from 3 to 4 eggs at each season, May and a 
second batch at times, the latter end of August. By observations 
of a Canorus, which takes up its abode near the house, it has been 
fairly accurately ascertained, that it deposits its eggs, usually in Dark- 
grey Bush-Chats’ nests, and that an interval of 8 to 10 days elapsed 
between each lay, so that it would be impossible for the mother or 
pair of them put together, for the matter of that, to hatch the eggs, 
all would be addled or chilled with exception of the last one laid, and 
this one would stand a poor chance, being turned and twisted about 
among three or even two cold bad eggs. 
GENUS CUCULUS 
Has a smallish bill; broader at the base, compressed and gently 
eurved, tip notched; wings long and pointed, 3rd quill the longest ; 
tail longish and rounded; tarsus short with protecting scute in front : 
feet short and slender. 
(200) Cucutus Hrwanayanus. Himalayan Cuckoo, is generally 
among the first to visit Darjeeling in early spring. As a rule, it is 
solitary in its habits, like all Cuckoos more or less, and seeks out a 
tall bushy tree, not infrequently a ecryptomeria. It sits in its eool, 
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