D1PLOPTERUS N^VIUS. 35 



When taken young the Guira Cuckoos become very tame, and make 

 bold, noisy, mischievous pets, fond of climbing over and tugging at the 

 clothes, buttons, and hair of their master or mistress. They appear to 

 be more intelligent than most birds, and in a domestic state resemble 

 the Magpie. I knew one tame that would carry off and jealously 

 conceal bits of bright-coloured ribbon, thread, or cloth. In a wild 

 state their food consists largely of insects, which they sometimes pursue 

 running and flying along the ground. They also prey on mice and 

 small reptiles, and carry off the fledglings from the nests of Sparrows 

 and other small birds, and in spring they are frequently seen following 

 the plough to pick up worms. 



269. DIPLOPTERUS KEVIUS (Om.). 

 (BROWN CUCKOO.) 



Diplopterus naevius, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 107. Diplopterus galeritus, 

 Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 27 (Entrerios). 



Description. Above ashy brown, with large black shaft-spots ; head rufous, 

 striated with black ; wings blackish, edged with "brown ; tail similar, but with 

 white tips to the feathers, and the upper tail-coverts much elongated : 

 3neath dirty white : whole length 11-5 inches, wing 4'5, tail 5'5. Female 

 similar. * 



Hab. Mexico, and Central and South America down to Argentina. 



The Brown Cuckoo, called " Crispin/' is found throughout the hot 



rtion of South America, and in different districts varies considerably 

 size and colouring. It is about 12 inches long, the beak much 



rved ; the prevailing colour of the upper parts is light brown, the 

 loose feathers on the head, which form a crest, deep rufous. The upper 

 tail-coverts are long loose feathers of very unequal length, the longest 

 reaching nearly to the end of the tail. The under surface is dirty white, 

 or dashed with grey. 



Azara says it is called Chochi in Paraguay, and has a clear sorrowful 

 note of two syllables, which it repeats at short intervals during the day, 

 and also at night during the love-season. It is solitary, scarce, and 

 excessively shy, escaping on the opposite side of the tree when ap- 

 proached, and when seen having the head and crest raised in an attitude 

 of alarm. In the northern part of the Argentine country it is called 

 Crispin, from its note which clearly pronounces that name. Mr. Barrows 

 found it common at Concepcion on the Uruguay river, and has written 



te following notes about it : 



