208 



VERTEBRATA. 



Norlhorn Africa, I'ut migrates in summer into Southern Europe; it deposits its eggs in the nests 



of other birds, like the preceding; it 

 even dupes tlic liooded crow, one of the 

 most cunning of birds, so that it liatches 

 and brings up the young cuckoos with 

 the greatest care, never suspecting the 

 cheat that has been practiced ! 



The CrotopluKjince is a group of 

 birds inhabiting tropical countries, and 

 feeding on insects and fruits. Tlie 

 typical genus, CROTOPII AG A, belongs 

 to South America and the West Indies, 

 though two species, the C. rur/irostris 

 and C. Ani, arc found within the south- 

 ern boundaries of the United States. 

 They arc somewhat parrot-like birds, 

 about twelve inches long, live in bands 

 in the borders of woods, especially in 

 swampy places, and subsist on insects, 

 larvae, small reptiles, and certain fruits 

 and seeds. It is said that several fe- 

 males lay in one nest, where they hatch 

 and bring up the young together, a sys- 

 tem of socialism in curious contrast to 

 the selfish isolation of the true cuckoos. 

 Another species, the Channel-Bill, 

 Scythro2')S Novce Hollandice^ is the size 

 of the crow, with a very long tail ; it 

 feeds on insects and fruits; found in 

 Australia and the Asiatic Islands. 



Genus COCCYZUS : Cocajzus.—lo 

 this belongs the Common American 

 Cuckoo, C. Americanus, often called 

 the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. It is twelve 

 inches long, of a very slender form ; 

 grayish-brown above, with greenish re- 

 flections ; below whitish; its food con- 

 sists chiefly of hairy caterpillars, cock- 

 chafers, and the eggs of small birds. It 

 is found from the Eastern United States, 

 to the Missouri plains. It is migratory, 

 appearing among us in May, but seldom 

 passing farther nortli than Massachu- 

 setts ; it is shy, and seeks concealment 

 in the thick foliage of the trees. It 

 pairs, and displays great conjugal 

 fidelity ; it hatches several broods in a 

 season, and often has birds of several 

 ages in the same nest. It is said to 

 be a bad nest-maker, and an improvi- 

 dent nurse. It seems that something 

 ^^ of that defect of character which so 



THE GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. dcbascs thc European cuckoo, attaches 



