192 CUCULID^ COCCYSTES 



in accordance with eggs of the host, as has been proved to be, to 

 a certain extent, the case with the European Cuckoo. 



In addition to the Sparrow the Cape Bunting (Fringillaria 

 capensis), the Masked Weaver Bird (Hyphantornis velatus), the 

 Spotted-backed Weaver (Hyphantornis spilonotus), and the Tit- 

 babbler (Parisoma caruleum), have all been noticed as acting as 

 host to this Cuckoo. 



There are three eggs in the South African Museum said to 

 belong to this species ; they were taken by Messrs. Jackson and 

 Ortlepp from the nests of Hyphantornis velatus at Nelspoort and 

 Colesberg respectively ; they are smooth, white and somewhat 

 pointed at either end and measure 0*87 x 0*62. 



Genus III. COCCYSTES. 



Type. 

 Coccystes, Gloger, Handl. Naturg. p. 203 (1842) C. glandarius. 



Bill compressed, culmen curved towards the tip; nostrils a 

 linear oval much more elongated than in Cuculus ; head crested ; 

 wing shorter than in Cuculus, the difference between the tips of 

 the primaries and secondaries being from a quarter to a third the 

 length of the whole wing ; tail longer than the wing and very 

 strongly graduated ; only the basal portion of the tarsus feathered. 

 Sexes alike, no distinct plumage to the young. 



Eight species have been described, spread over southern Europe, 

 Asia, and the whole of Africa ; five of these reach our limits and 

 all are migratory and parasitic in habits. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Black slaty-brown ; wing- co verts spotted ... C. glandarius, p. 193. 



B. Back glossy black, wing-coverts unspotted. 



a. Below, white or gray. 



a 1 . Smaller, wing 5'80, no black streaks on 



the throat C. jacolinus, p. 195. 



b\ Larger wing, 6'0, slightly streaked on the 



throat C. hypopinarius, p. 197. 



c 1 . Largest, wing 7'0, throat very strongly 



streaked with black C. cafer, p. 198. 



b. Below, glossy black like the back C. serratus, p. 199. 



