BLACK-EARED CUCKOO. 281 



distinctly visible, much corrugated and in motion. 

 There were traces of transverse wrinkles. Sam in- 

 formed me that he had observed them once before 

 in the eyes of the same species. 



BLACK-EARED CUCKOO.* 



Coccyzus seniculus. 



Cuculus seniculus, Linn. — Aud. pi. 169. 



Eryihrophrys seniculus, Svv. 



The tawny underparts, contrasted with the sober 

 grey of the upper, glossed like shot-silk, and the 

 long tail beautifully barred with black and white, 

 render the subject before us one of the handsom- 

 est of this genus of Cuckoos. It is a dull, and, so 

 to speak, a stupid bird ; we not unfrequently see it 

 suddenly fly out from the woods, and crossing the road 

 rest on a branch at a short distance, where it sits 

 little disturbed by the proximity of passengers : or 

 jumps to another twig near, and thence to another. 

 I have never heard it utter a sound. It lives on 

 soft insects^ large spiders, &c., which are stationary, 

 and which it seeks by thus peeping among the trees, 

 and for the capture of which long flights would be 

 unnecessary. 



I know nothing of its domestic economy ; but in 



* Length 12-1 inches, expanse 1 5 1, flexure 5, tail 6f, rictus 1^. tar- 

 sus 1 J^, middle toe 1-j^, versatile toe -^. Intestine 10 inches; two 

 caeca, 1^ inch long, about 1^ inch from cloaca. 



