454 CLASS AVES. , 



cause of this phenomenon, unique in the history of 

 birds, is still unknown. Herissant has attributed it 

 to the position of the gizzard, which is deeper in the 

 abdomen, and less protected by the sternum than in 

 other birds. The coecum of these cuckows are 

 long, and their lower larynx has but one proper 

 muscle. We have one cuckow, generally spread 

 throughout Europe. 



Common Cuckow. Cuculus Canorus. L. Enl. 



811. 



Of an ashen grey, with a white belly, striped across 

 with black ; the tail spotted with white on the sides ; 

 the young has red instead of grey. 



But there also, sometimes, comes here a species 

 spotted and crested, whose cry is more sonorous. 



(C. Glandarius. Edw. 57.) Naum. 130, the 

 male, PI. Col. t. 414, the female. The C. Pisanus 

 of Gm. is the young of this. 



The warm countries of both continents produce 

 many others. 



Cape Cuckow. C. Capensis. Vaill. Af. pi. 200. 



Which is probably only a variety of the common spe- 

 cies. PI. Enl. 390. 



Solitary Cuckow. C. SoUtarius. Cuv. Vaill. 206. 



Obscure-brown, above ; light-brovm, underneath, 

 with darker transverse bars; tail, black, white edged. 

 Africa. 



