134 
2. 
CUPREOUS 
C. 
DescriPTioNn. 
PLACE. 
OO. Ce ewe aw NN 
than fifty grains *, and the bird itfelf barely four ounces, fo that 
thirty-eight of fuch eges will about make up the weight of the parent, 
whereas the Raven weighs two pounds ten ounces, and the egg not 
quite feven drachms, fo that forty-eight are required to equal the 
weight of the bird. 
The Cuckow is fuppofed to lay a great number of eggs, for in one 
diffected by my friend Mr. Lambd, there were not only two eggs in the 
ovary, one of them juft on the point of being laid, the other about 
half the fize, but befides, a vafl number of fmall ones; and in refpec&t 
to food, the ftomach contained not only {mall caterpillars, but {mall 
feeds likewife. Similar obfervations, as well as others of much im- 
port, may be obtained, by confulting Dr. Fexner’s excellent Effay on 
the fubject, in the Philofophical Trau/aétions above quoted. 
Cupreous Cuckow, Lew. Mu/. pl. in p. 159. 
SIZE nearly that of a Lark, but of a longer and more delicate 
form: the head, neck, and upper parts of the body are of a 
bright copper colour, with a metallic fplendour, being gloffed with 
gold and red tinge of copper: the feathers are of a rounded fhape, 
and are fo difpofed as to refemble fcales: the belly and thighs are 
of a beautiful jonquil yellow: the tail is lightly cuneiform ; one or 
two of the exterior feathers marked at the tip with a triangular {pot 
of white: bill and legs black. 
This bird is fuppofed to, have come from Africa, and is in the 
Leverian Mufeum: in general fhape and appearance, it is fomewhat 
allied to the Gilded Cuckow, but differs much in its colour, and in’ 
raving the tail longer in proportion. 
* Not unfrequently as low as forty-four grains ; Dr. Hey/ham: from forty-three 
to fifty-five grains; Jenner. 
