MIMICRY OF CUCKOOS 



blotched eggs, so that they are more or less like the 

 average bird's egg. 



Another matter of interest concerning cuckoos is the 

 frequently close likeness which many of them bear to 

 other birds of quite different groups. This " mimicry " 

 is to be seen in our own cuckoo, whose likeness to a hawk 

 was commented upon by Aristotle. That small birds 

 share in the deception seems to be shown by the fact 

 that they will " mob " a cuckoo, apparently under the 

 impression that they are annoying their hereditary 

 enemy. The Indian " brain fever bird " (Hierococcyx), 

 is still more like a hawk, and it has deceived into a state 

 of excitement small birds at the Zoo. The advantage 

 of such a likeness may be held to be proved in these 

 cases where a superficial resemblance may protect a 

 feeble bird from assaults on the part of ravening, but 

 timid and suspicious, fowls. There are, however, other 

 cases somewhat different in their nature. A large 

 Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx radiatus) lately 

 exhibited in the Insect House at the Zoo, had the swag- 

 gering strut of that " miles gloriosus " among birds, 

 the " game bird." It may be that here the aspect of the 

 cuckoo suggested to the hawk that under the swaggering 

 gait lay an armature of spurs. The cuckoo to which 

 we have already referred, viz. Centropus, includes a 

 species which is named " phasianus," a name which 

 suggests precisely the same kind of similarity. 



TOURACOU 



The touracous with their brilliant colours, often red 

 and green, are common occupants of the cages at the Zoo. 



These beautiful birds are African, and only African, 

 in range. They are eminently tree- frequenting birds, 

 and the outer toe is reversible in order that it can enable 

 the bird to grapple with different needs as it moves 

 from branch to branch. It is generally held that the 



Z.G. 177 N 



