THE PRINCIPAL BIRD GROUPS 99 



are said to be devoured. Their notes are loud, 

 distinctive and peculiar, some of their cries 

 being quite a feature in certain lands. There 

 is great variety in the nesting arrangements of 

 the Cuckoos ; some of the birds make nests and 

 hatch and care for their young in the usual way ; 

 but the majority are parasitic, dropping their 

 eggs into the nests of other birds and taking no 

 further interest in the welfare of their offspring. 

 The young are hatched naked. The various 

 sub-families into which the Cuculidae is divided 

 are as follows : First, the Cuculinae, of which our 

 own Common Cuckoo may be taken as typical. 

 Second, the Centropodinae or Coucals, long- 

 legged Cuckoos, mostly terrestrial in their habits, 

 and having the hind toe furnished with a long 

 straight spine-like claw ; they are non-parasitic, 

 and their eggs are white and of chalky texture. 

 Third, the Phcenicophainae or Couas, and Rain 

 Birds, partly arboreal and partly terrestrial ; the 

 former of heavy flight and good climbers, the 

 latter seldom perching : they are non-parasitic, 

 and their two or three eggs are white. Fourth, 

 the Neomorphinae, which includes the curious 

 Chaparral Cocks, terrestrial species, capable of 

 running with great speed, and rarely using their 

 short wings ; they are non-parasitic, and lay 



