112 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



THE DIDRIK, OR GOLDEN CUCKOO. 

 The DiDRiK, or Golden Cuckoo {Chrysococcyx aiiraius), is of a dazzling metallic gi-een, shaded 

 with copper-red over the entire mantle, the glowing effect being heightened by a blueish effulgence 

 at the tips of some of the feathers. A white stripe passes behind the eye, and the brow is decorated 

 with a white spot ; the entire under side is light brownish or yellowish white, of so delicate a shade 

 that exposure to the sun's rays soon renders it almost white. The feathers on tlie sides, tail, and 

 lower wing-covers are greenish j the secondaries, exterior primaries, and outer tail-feathers deep green. 





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THE DIDRIK, OR GOLDEN CUCKOO {Chiysococcyx auratus). 



striped with white ; the eye is deep yello\vish brown (during the breeding season that of the male 

 is deep red), the eyelid coral-red, the beak deep blue, and the foot light greyish blue. The male 

 is seven inches and a half long, and twelve inches and three-quarters across ; the wing, measures four 

 inches and one-sixth, and the tail three inches and a quarter. The female has a spotted under side, 

 and is somewhat smaller and less gorgeous than her mate. In the young birds the lower parts of the 

 body are shaded mth yellow, the breast and throat of a metallic green, the feathers on the back 

 edged and the quills spotted with reddish yellow. 



According to Le Vaillant, the Didrik is numerously met with throughout Southern Africa, where 

 it inhabits the primitive forests, and frequents the loftiest and most densely foliaged trees. Heuglin, 

 who observed tliis species near the White and Black Nile and in Abyssinia, tells us that it often 

 associates in small parties, and occasionally ventures down upon the trees and hedges that surround 



