COMMON CUCKOO. 141 



King Bird of Paradise. Unlike the last species, these 

 birds are solitary, and never unite in flocks. They also 

 prefer bushes and shrubs to high trees, and are more 

 frequently to be found on those which produce red ber- 

 ries, than on any others. In the islands of the Indian 

 Ocean, where they are principally found, the inhabitants 

 catch them in a kind of snares, and export them, for the 

 same uses to which the skins of the preceding species are 

 applied. 



Their length is from two to seven inches ; their general 

 colour a chesnut purple. The belly is white, and the 

 breast bluish, having a green gold band. There are two 

 long thread-shaped, or filiform tail-feathers, which are 

 feathered, and crescent-shaped at the extremity. The 

 feathers under the wings are longer than the rest. 



10. CUCKOO TRIBE. 



The species of Cuckoo are numerous; but are much 

 more common in hot, than in temperate or cold climates. 

 They feed chiefly on insects. Only one species is found 

 in this country. 



Common Cuckoo. The peculiar note of the Cuckoo 

 is very familiar to us, and, from a certain association of 

 ideas, it is always pleasing, as it announces the return 

 of that season in which all take delight. Thesis birds 

 seldom form any nest, but deposit their eggs in the 

 nests of other birds, chiefly those of the hedge-sparrow, 

 water-wagtail, tit-lark, yellow-hammer, green linnet, or 

 the whinchat, and leave the whole future care of their 

 offspring to their foster-parents. Nor is this done 

 without injury to the birds ; for, as soon as the young 

 Cuckoo has acquired sufficient strength, it never fails 



