THE SEARCHERS. 



"3 



the villages, making itself very conspicuous by its loud, flute-like, piping cry and pugnacious 

 propensities. The snow-white eggs of the Golden Cuckoo are always deposited in the nest of 

 another bird. 



The GIANT CUCKOOS {Scythrops), a group comprising the largest of all Cuckoos, have 

 derived their name from the formation of their beak, which resembles that of the Toucans, being 



THE GIANT CUCKOO, OR CHANNEL-BILL (Scythrops Nova HoUanduT). 



nearly as long as their head, thick, strong, broad at its base, compressed at its sides, and hooked at 

 the tip. The tarsi are short, and toes powerful ; the wing, in which the third quill is the longest, 

 extends almost to the middle of the comparatively short, rounded tail ; the latter is formed of ten 

 feathers. The plumage somewhat resembles that of the Common Cuckoo in its coloration ; the 

 cheek-stripes and region of the eyes are bare. 



THE GIANT CUCKOO, OR CHANNEL-BILL. 

 The Giant Cuckoo, or Channel-bill {Scythrops Nova Hollandid), the only species widi which 

 v/e are acquainted, is grey upon the head, throat, and breast ; the mantle, wings, and tail are greenish 

 VOL. III. — 94 



