196 Mr. G. C. Shortridge on Birds from 



[The European Cuckoo has not previously been obtained 

 south of the Transvaal, and is therefore a new bird to the 

 Avifauna of the Cape Colony. — "W. L. S.] 



123. Cuculus soLiTARius Steph. ; Stark et Scl. iii.p. 178. 



(1) 25.11.01. <J. Iris hazel; legs yellow ; bill with the 



upper mandible black, the lower yellow. 



(2) G. 12.01. Skin round the eye yellow. In the stomach, 



hairy caterpillars. 

 This Cuckoo is very common during the summer months, 

 but leaves the district in winter, appearing again early 

 in October. Its local name is " Will o' the Wisp," partly 

 owing to its cry and partly to its being seldom seen, as 

 it flies quietly, almost like an Owl. 



124. Cuculus clamosus Lath. ; Stark et Scl. iii. p. 182. 



(1) 9.12.01. (5. Iris dark brown : bill black ; legs brown. 



In the stomach, hairy caterpillars. 



(2) 11.12.01. d. Legs dark brown. 



This Cuckoo is plentiful in the summer months. It 

 leaves the district in winter, and reappears at the same 

 time as C. solitarius. 



125. Chrysococcyx smaragdineus (Swains.) ; Stark et 

 Scl. iii. p. 185. 



(1) 17.11.01. 6. Iris dark brown; legs pale blue; bill 

 greenish grey, tipped with black. In the stomach, 

 insects (chiefly caterpillars). 

 A common bird during the summer months. C. smarag- 

 dineus and C. klaasi visit St. Johns in the spring, and arrive 

 a few weeks earlier than the other Cuckoos. This species 

 invariably utters its call from the top of a very high tree, 

 where it is difficult to see it. Barbatula pusilla resembles 

 it in this respect. 



126. Chrysococcyx klaasi Steph. ; Stark et Scl. iii. p. 186. 



(1) 2.11.01. Iris hazel; legs slaty; bill black, lower 



mandible greenish underneath. In the stomach, 

 insects and caterpillars. 



(2) 4.11.01. 6- Bill dull green. 



This Cuckoo is plentiful during the summer mcntlus. It 



