THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 27 
205.—Hierococcyx varius, Vahl. Native name— 
Popiya. 
The Common Hawk Cuckoo is a permanent resident, fre- 
quenting alike gardens, groves and avenues. During the 
breeding season, 2.¢e., from March to the commencement of 
the rains in June, it is a noisy bird, particularly in the 
evening and early morning, three or four often going up the 
gamut together, each trying to outdo or silence the other; 
while during moonlit nights it often vies with the Koel in 
trying to keep the world astir, but during the cold weather it 
is shy and retiring, seldom seen and never heard. It feeds 
usually, I think, on fruit or tender buds, but frequently on 
small caterpillars for which it may be seen hunting among 
the leaves of trees. Small birds often mistake it for the 
Shikra. Though it doubtless deposits its eggs in the nest of 
some bird or other—probably in that of the Common Babbler— 
I have never been able to find any, if it is possible to distin- 
guish them from the Babbler’s eggs. 
208.—Cacomantis passerinus, Vahl. 
The Indian Plaintive Cuckoo I have never seen, though for 
all that it may occur in the Division. Mr. Adam, I note, 
would seem to imply that it not only occurs but breeds here— 
see ** Nests and Eggs,” page 137; but the large eggs to which 
he refers as belonging to this species were possibly the eggs 
of Drymeca inornata, some of which vary greatly in size and 
coloration. 
212.—Coccystes jacobinus, Bodd. Native name— 
Kala Popiya. 
The Pied Crested Cuckoo, though not so common as the last 
species, is nevertheless fairly abundant at all seasons ; found 
alike on high trees and low shrubs, and even feeding on the 
ground. During the breeding season it also is a noisy bird, 
and, like varius, deposits its eggs in the nests of other birds. 
214.—Eudynamis honorata, Lin. Native name— 
roel and Kala Koeli. 
The Indian Koel, or Black Cuckoo, is a permanent resident, 
very abundant during the rains, but apparently migrates to 
some extent as the cold weather sets in and advances. It feeds 
principally on fruit, being very fond of the small berries of the 
banian and other Fici. During the breeding season several 
males may often be seen following the same female, and from 
this it may be inferred that, like the true Cuckoos, they do not 
