ii8 cassell's book of birds. 



Tlie LONG-TAILED CUCKOOS (Fyrr/tococcyx) possess a comparatively slender body, and 

 an elongate, slightly-arched, and hooked beak. The legs are strong, the tarsi slender, and the toes of 

 medium size. The wings, in which the fifth quill exceeds the rest in length, are long. The long tail 

 is composed of ten feathers, slightly rounded at their extremities. The plumage is thick and 

 unusually downy. 



THE LONG-TAILED CUCKOO. 



The Long-tailed Cuckoo {Pyrrhococcyx Cayanus), a well-known member of the above group, 

 is of a light reddish brown over the mantle, and from the breast downwards of a deep grey ; the tail- 

 feathers are dark reddish brown above, and black beneath, with white tips. The length of this 

 species is from eighteen to twenty-two inches, according to the size of the tail ; the span of the 

 pinions is seventeen inches, their length from five inches and a half to sjx inches and a half, and the 

 tail from ten to fourteen inches. 



This Cuckoo, according to Burmeister, is spread over all tjie warm portions of America ; and 

 in Brazil, where it is very common, comes constanriy down into the fields and gardens. Its flight, 

 despite the shortness of the wings, is free and easy ; its disposition brisk and active ; and its call-note 

 an oft-repeated, penetrating cry. These birds usually live in pairs, but frequently associate in parties 

 while in pursuit of their insect prey. V/e have no reliable information as \o the breeding of 

 this species. 



The TICK-EATERS [Crofopkaga), a small but remarkable family, inhabiting Southern and 

 Central America, possess a slender body and very decidedly arched beak, powerful feet, wid) 

 the toes placed in pairs, mpderate-sized wings, and a long, broad, rounded tail, composed of eight 

 feathers. The thick, small-feathered plumage is of sombre hue, and takes the form of bristles in the 

 region of the beak ; the cheek-stripes and region of the eyes are bare. 



" These birds," says Brown, in his " History of Jamaica," " prefer cultivated places, and more 

 especially land in the neighbourhood of pastures or low shrubberies and swamps. They easily make 

 their way amongst the thickest foliage or grass, by means of their sharp-edged bills, with which they 

 scatter the herbage on each side, in search of grasshoppers and other insects. They have been seen 

 on the dead carcase of a sheep, but whether attracted by the flesh or by the larvae of insects is 

 uncertain. In the day-time they often associate in flocks of twenty or thirty individuals near small 

 rivulets, seeking for tadpoles, which they greedily devour. At other times they may be seen flying 

 from shrub to shrub, uttering their pecuhar note. They live phiefly upon ticks and other small 

 vermin, and constantly jump about cows and oxen in the fields, and the cattle will frequently lie down 

 to benefit by their good offices, if much infested by ticks ; but if the beast appear heedless of their 

 proffered attentions, they hop once or twice around it, looking it very earnestly in the face every time 

 they pass, as if they knew it was only necessary for them to be seen to be indulged. They are very 

 noisy birds, and very common in all the pastures of Jamaica. The nests of the Tick-eaters are built 

 in the fork of a tree, or in a bush covered with mistletoe, and made rudely of some coarse materials, 

 chiefly small sticks, totally destitute of any soft lining. The eggs are from five to seven or more in 

 number. The young evince much activity in hopping from branch to branch ; long before they are 

 able to fly they leave their nests, and may be seen perched on the top of a shrub or thicket of vines, 

 in company with a congregation of adult birds. AVhen the parents escape from an intruder by taking 

 flight, the young, by long and rapid leaps, reach the ground, and run off very quickly." 



The TRUE TICK-EATERS {Crotophnga) have a slender body, small head, short wings, long 



