CUCULTD.E — THE CUCKOOS. 489 



It is coniiiioti tlironrjhout the AVest Tiulies, and in South America as far south 

 as r.razil. Gosso statt's it to be one of the most abundant birds of Jamaica- 

 In speaking of its breeding habits he mentions tliat it was universally imvi- 

 tained by the inhabitants that these birds unite and build in company an 

 in\mense nest of basket-work, made bv the united labors of the flock. This 

 is said to be placed on a higli tree, whore many parents bring forth and edu- 

 cate a common family. This statement is reiterated by Mr. Hill, who says 

 that a small tlock of about six individuals build but one lar«(e and capacious 

 nest, to which they resort in common, and rear their youn" toirether. 



In July Mr. (losse found the nest of one of these birds in a nurzvma 

 tree. It was a large mass of interwoven twigs, and was lined with leaves. 

 There were eight eggs in the nest, and the shells of many others were scat- 

 tered beneath the tree. 



^Fr. Newton found these birds very commor in St. Croix. He mentions 

 meeting with a nest of this species June 17. It was about five feet from 

 the gi-ound, on a large tamarind-tree. He speaks of it as a rude collection 

 of sticks and twigs, large and deep, partly filled with dry leaves, among 

 which were fourteen eggs, and around the margin were stuck upright a few 

 dead twigs of tamarind. Five days afterwards-hc went to the nest, where he 

 found but nine eggs, two of which he took. Three days later he found but 

 four eggs in the nest, it having been robbed in the interim ; but six days 

 afterwards the number had again been increased to eight, lie never found 

 the eggs covered up as if intentionally done. Tlie nest was evidently com- 

 mon property. There were generally two or three birds sitting close to or 

 on it, and up in the tree perhaps four or five more, who would continue 

 screeching all the time he was there. Mr. Xewton adds that when the eixsr 

 is fresh the cretaceous deposit on t)ie shell is very soft and easily scored, 

 but it soon hardens. It is mentioned in De Sagra's list as one of the com- 

 mon birds of Cuba. 



Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his interesting paper (Ibis, July, 1871) on the 

 birds of Bmzil, mentions finding this species very common at Santo Paulo. 

 There was scarcely an open jnece of ground where there were but few bushes 

 that had not its flock of these birds. They were especially fond of mai-shy 

 ground. They were also often to be seen running about among a herd of 

 cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by the animals. They seemed utter- 

 ly regardless of danger, and would scarcely do more than flit from one bush 

 to another, even when the numbers of thnir flock were being greatly thinned 

 When concealed in the long grass, they would allow themselves to be almost 

 trodden on before rising. The Brazilians seldom molest them, as their flesh 

 is not good to eat. 



This bird is known as the Black Witch in St. Croix, — a name Mr. Newton 

 sup])oses to be due to its peculiar call-note, which sounds like qur-yufh. Its 

 familiar habits and its grotesque appearance make it universally known. It 

 is a favorite object of attack to the Chickaree Flycatcher, in which encoun- 



voL. II. G:J 



