GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. 



Cucuhis (jhiTirlarius, LATHAM. GOULD. 



Cucnhis\ term of reproach. Glandarius Of or belonging to acorns. 



THE northern and western coasts of Africa are the native 

 regions of this species, and it also occasionally dwells in the 

 southern parts of Europe bordering on the Mediterranean 

 Spain, France, and Italy; it has been met with also in 

 Germany. 



One specimen has occurred in Ireland, apparently fatigued, 

 as if after a long flight: whence it had flown, is indeed, as 

 Aristophanes says, 'hard to say.' It was ^observed, pursued 

 by Hawks, on the Island of Omagh, and having taken refuge 

 in a hole in a stone wall, was captured by two persons who 

 were walking there. It was fed and kept alive for four days. 

 The month of March, in the year 1842, is said to have been 

 the time of its occurrence. It was subsequently obtained by 

 Mr. Ball, for the museum of Trinity College, Dublin, where 

 it is now preserved. 



Male; length, one foot three inches and a half; bill, bluish 

 black; iris, yellow; a crest of considerable length proceeds 

 from the top and back of the head; head on the front and 

 sides, dark ash-colour; throat and breast, light reddish white; 

 back, greyish black. Greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish 

 black; primaries, the fourth is the longest in the wing; 

 greater and lesser under wing coverts, white; the tail has the 

 middle feathers eight inches long, the outer one but four 

 inches and three quarters; the two centre feathers are brown, 

 the outer ones darker, but all tipped with white; upper tail 

 coverts, greyish black; under tail coverts, white; legs, toes, 

 and claws, bluish black 



