forests. I have heard it, from early dawn, continued throughout the 
day, in Ghoompahar range, more frequently perhaps at Manibhunjin 
the thick forest on Nepal frontier where the spur dips down to the Lit- 
tle Runjeet Valley. It seems incessent in its advice to planters in the 
73 sa) Pare ee ” B é 
dumps” to “make more pekoe”; or hill cultivators and crofters to 
ee ” ° . oe r ) 
put down seed” in Nepali of course; or ~ Bhuta Kato” to more 
prosperous Lepchas to cut down their crops of Indian corn. 
GENUS HIEROCOCCYX (Hawk-Cuckoos) 
These birds are more hawk-like in appearance, stouter and heavier 
in build, and feed on fruit, chiefly on Caterpillars. 
(205) Higrococcyx varius, Conmon ITawk-Cuckoo, commouly 
called “ Brain-fever bird” is, plentiful in the plains where its cres- 
cendo notes are heard to advantage. (2) In spring its song is loud 
and shrill not unlike pepecha! pepecha!! pepecha!!! going up the 
scale a higher note each time or perhaps more correctly whi-wheeha, 
Sundervall remarks: “that each word is pronounced about twice 
nearly in this manner, in the musical scale C. B. B. A.—A. C. C. B.— 
b. D. D. C.,—and it thus mounts the scale of notes at every second 
cry, three or four times, till the note is as high as the bird can raise 
it, when it makes a short pause and begins anew.” In Bengal 
varius goes under the name of kok-gallo or choke-gallo. A romantic 
story is connected with this Cuckoo. The mother of a little Hindu 
bride, sent her old nurse, to visit the daughter. When she was 
admitted into her presence, she was asked how she was faring. 
According to the custom and requirements of young brides, she could 
not speak, but her eyes filled with tears. The nurse went home to 
the mother and all she could say was, “chok-gallo, chok-gallo, chok- 
gallo” = (her) “eyes are gone” literally speaking—melted away. 
(207) HimRococcyxX SPARVERIOIDES, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, is fre- 
quently seen in spring in Darjeeling. Its call is much lke varius 
and looks like a big Sfriatus being about 15 inches in length. Both 
its hill names Nimbinpyeul and Mipiu are fair representations of its 
song. 
(208) PoLypHASIA NIGRA, Jndian Plaintive Cuckoo, is often heard 
at about 6,000 feet elevation, where it keeps up a “ wandering 
voice” call with remarkable Veutriloquistic effect, caused partly by 
holding its head im different direction, and throws out its whi-wheu, 
whi-wheu, or perhaps more like re-reera, ve-vecra, all over the hill side 
and jungle. It is with difficulty one can find its whereabouts. 
Closer you get to the bird the further away seems to get the voice. 
Nigra is 9 inches in length; colour of the plumage varies a good 
deal, usually, dusky grey above, with a green gloss; under ta1l- 
coverts pure white; quills dark with a white band; tail feathers 
