

25 



UPUPID-E. Sylvan. 



141. HOOPOE. Upupa epops, Linnaeus. Spring to autumn; occa- 

 sionally breeds in England, and would do so annually if not shot on 

 its arrival in spring. 



Bill long, thin, slightly arched and pointed. Erectile rich buff crest, 

 tipped with black ; the hind feathers of the crest with white before the 

 black tips. Tail black, of ten feathers, with broad white bar across the 

 lower part. Length 10-12 inches. 



7 



CUCULID2E. Tail of ten feathers ; two toes in 

 front, two behind. 



142. CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus, Linnaeus. Spring to autumn. 



^ Male. Above bluish grey ; chin and neck ash-grey ; below white, 

 barred with black. Tail greyish black, graduated, slightly spotted and 

 tipped with white ; iris, eyelids, legs, and feet yellow. 



Female. Like male, but usually with slight rufous tinge on breast. 

 Females much less numerous than males. 



Young. Upper surface and tail clove-brown, barred with pale brown, 

 feathers tipped with white ; white spot on nape ; iris brown. Length 

 14 inches. 



143. GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. Coccystes glandarius (Linnaeus). Two 

 occurrences : Galway, 1842, and Northumberland, 1870. 



Adults. Crested. 



S. Spain, 

 Asia Minor, 



Head and nape bluish grey ; rest of upper parts wintering- in / 

 greyish brown ; wings, scapulars, and tail, except two centre feathers, S. Africa, 

 tipped with white ; underparts white. Sexes alike. 



Young. Basal two-thirds of primaries chestnut ; head blackish brown, 

 without any crest. Length 15-16 inches. 



Order STEIGES. 



Family 



144. WHITE or BAEN-OWL*. Strix flammea, Linnaeus. Eesident. 



Facial disk complete and large ; tuftless ; skin covering orifico of ear 

 (operculum) large. 



Above pale orange-buff, speckled with grey and spotted with black 

 and white ; underparts and facial disk white, but these parts vary, the 

 former being sometimes marked with black specks, and both are 

 occasionally of a complete buff colour. Iris black. Toes without 

 feathers, covered with a few bristles ; middle claw serrated. Length 

 14 inches. 



* This Owl, most useful to man, can be preserved and increased by fixing an old 

 cask (about 18-gallon size) in a tree. The barrel should be placed on its side and have 

 a hole cut in the upper part of the head for the Owls to enter ; care must be taken 

 that Jackdaws do not take possession. 



