Birds of the Quangturtg Coast. 243 



96. CUCULUS MICROPTERUS. 



This and the "Rain-bird" (Cacomantis merulinus) are the 

 two commonest Cuckoos here. Cuculus micropterus arrives 

 about the middle of April and leaves in October. It destroys 

 countless numbers of larvae of butterflies, some of which are 

 rare, chiefly on this account. 



97. HlEROCOCCYX SPARVERIOIDES. 



Not uncommon in the summer. 



98. Cacomantis merulinus. 



A very common and well-known summer visitant. It 

 arrives about the beginning of March, and sings incessantly 

 day and night till about the end of May. Its notes are more 

 feeble through June, and it leaves about August. It breeds at 

 the end of April. It is knowu to Europeans in China as the 

 " Rain-bird." The skin, unlike that of most of the Cuckoos, 

 is tough and the feathers are firmly attached. 



99. Coccystes coromandus. 

 A resident, but not common. 



100. EUDYNAMIS HONORATA. 



A very common resident, but its loud call is heard only 

 during spring and summer. It lays in May. 



101. Centropus sinensis. 

 A common resident. 



102. Centropus bengalensis. 

 A fairly common resident. 



103. ASIO ACCIPITRINUS. 



Not uncommon in winter. 



104. Ketupa ceylonensis. 

 Not a common species. 



105. Bubo maximus. 

 Not common. 



106. SCOPS STICTONOTUS. 



Fairly numerous. 



