372 COMMON CUCKOO. 



known " harbinger of spring." Within a few years 

 stpaggling specimens of a second form have been 

 added, which we shall notice in its place. The 

 True, or Parasitic Cuckoos, typical of the sub- 

 family Cuculince, are found only in the Old 

 World, and have chiefly drawn attention by the 

 fact of their employing another bird to rear the 

 young. They are all migratory, have sombre 

 and unobtrusive plumage, and feed principally 

 on insects. 



CUCULUS, Linn. Generic characters* Bill 

 slightly curving, with an obsolete notch, 

 depressed at the base, rictus ample, nostrils 

 round ; wings long, pointed, third quill 

 longest ; tail cuneated, long ; tarsi short, 

 partially feathered. 



Note Do not rear their own young. Europe, 

 Asia, Africa, Australia. 



THE COMMON CUCKOO. 



Cuculus canorus. LINN^US. 

 PLATE XXIV. 



Cuculus canorus, Will. Linn C. canorus rufus, GmeL 

 Lath The Common Cuckoo of British authors 



THERE are few birds which have excited so 

 much interest as the Common Cuckoo ; its note 



