CHAPTER XI 



PARASITIC BIRDS 



The Ani of Jamaica (Crotophaga ani). 



The Koel and the Myna — The Common Cuckoo — Its Migration 

 and winter home — The similarity of its eggs to those of the 

 foster-parent — The ejection of the young of the latter — The 

 Cow-birds parasitic on each other — The nesting of the Ani or 

 Savana Cuckoo of Jamaica. 



ONE of the most wonderful facts in connection with pro- 

 tective colouration of birds was brought to light by Mr. 

 John Whitehead, when he was travelling in the island of 

 Palawan in the Philippines. To understand this phenomenon 

 rightly, one must remember that a general rule of colouration 

 runs throughout the majority of the class A ves. Thus, when 



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