BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



143 



<3reat Spottefc Cucfeoo. 



THE Great Spotted Cuckoo (Coccystes glandarius, Linnaeus) is 

 a very rare straggling spring and autumn migrant to the British 

 Isles, and is also found inhabiting South- West Europe and 

 North Africa. The adult male has the upper parts greyish- 

 brown, most of the feathers being tipped with white ; crest 

 and crown, grey; sides of face, dark grey; tail-feathers,' 

 blackish-brown, with white tips to all but the central ones ; 

 neck, creamy-white; under parts, dullish white; irides, 

 brown; bill, dark brown; base beneath, yellowish; legs 

 and feet, slate-grey. Length, from sixteen to seventeen 

 inches. The adult female has a smaller crest, and the 

 ground colour of the primaries is rufous. The young are 

 similar to the adult females, but show little crest ; and the 

 under parts are washed with chestnut. 



