2 PICARIAN BIRDS. 



varied in form and habits, some being entirely parasitic, while others build nests. 

 They are divided into six subfamilies ; and while the usual number of tail-feathers 

 is ten, in one group (Crotophagince) only eight are present ; the other subfamilies 

 being well distinguished. 



The first representatives of the typical subfamily Cuculince are 



' the crested cuckoos, which, in common with the other members of 



the group, have pointed wings, and are strong fliers. The genus is distinguished 



GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (f Iiat. size). 



by the presence of a crest on the head ; and of its eight species five are African, 

 while one (Coccystes jacobinus) is common to Africa and India, another (C. 

 coromandus) is peculiar to the Indian region, and the last is European. Although 

 the great spotted cuckoo (C. glandarius) has twice occurred in England, its home 

 is in South- Western Europe and the Mediterranean countries, extending thence 

 through Syria and Asia Minor to Persia, while in winter the bird ranges into 

 Africa, as far as Cape Colony. It is of an ashy brown colour, white below, with 

 a buff-coloured throat, and is easily distinguished by its crested grey head and 

 long tail, which is broadly tipped with white. The length of the bird is about 



