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75 



March 



effect on the ear of one coming from a remote distance. 



seems probable that these are only solitary individuals hatched too late to permit of their joining 

 in the return migration, and accordingly left to perish as the cold season advances. As an 

 instance of this, I may mention that a young Shining Cuckoo, which had been picked up dead in 

 a garden, was brought to me at the end of February (long after the old birds had quitted the 

 country), and that I found it excessively fat, and the stomach crammed with caterpillars— strong 

 presumptive evidence that the bird had not suffered from the neglect of its foster-parents, but had 

 succumbed to the exigencies of its late birth. 



In the early dawn and during the cool hours of the morning, the Long-tailed Cuckoo resorts 

 to the low underwood and brushes ; but although its cry may be frequently heard, it is not easy to 

 find the bird, inasmuch as the sound, though produced within a few yards of the listener, has the 



This species, in fact, appears, like some 



others of the same family, to be endowed with a sort of natural ventriloquism, and its apparently 

 far-off cry is often very deceptive. 



While searchii ^ 



the sun is up he betakes himself to the top branches of a kahikatea or other lofty tree, where he 

 remains closely concealed till sunset. He continues to utter, at intervals of ten or fifteen minutes, 

 his prolonged shrill note (quite distinct from all other sounds of the forest, and very pleasant to 

 hear) till about noon, when he remains perfectly silent for two hours or more. As soon, how- 

 ever, as the heat of the day is over, he resumes his cry, and shortly afterwards leaves his retreat to 

 hunt for food again. . During the quiet summer nights, too, his note may be heard at intervals 



till break of day. 



This species is more predatory in its habits than is usual with the members of this group. 



Lizards and large insects form its principal diet ; but it also plunders the nests of other birds, 

 devouring alike the eggs and young. From the stomach of one which I shot in December 1856, 

 I took the body of a young bird (apparently a Piopio), partly fledged and only slightly mutilated, 

 showing the enormous capacity of the Cuckoo's throat. This interesting object, preserved in 



Museum at Wellin 



The large nocturnal 



beetle (Prionojphcs reticidaris\ the various species of Beinacridm and Phasmidw^ the Kekereru or 

 fetid bug, the large bush Cicada^ and different kinds of spiders and caterpillars, all contribute to 

 the support of this bird ; for I have found their remains in abundance in the stomachs of speci- 

 mens I have dissected. 



As already stated, it is accustomed to rob the nests of other birds ; and whether from this 

 or some other cause, it is an object of constant persecution to the Tui or Parson bird. The instant 

 one of these birds shows itself, the Tui commences its pursuit, chasing it from tree to tree, and 

 fairly driving it out of the woods. I have actually seen three or four of these persecutors at one 

 time following the unfortunate Cuckoo, with loud cries of intimidation, and, finally, compelling it 

 to take refuge in the, long grass on the banks of a stream. 



Very little is at present known of the breeding-habits of this species. As I have mentioned 

 above, it is parasitical ; but to what extent is not yet determined. My own belief is, that it per- 

 forms itself the duty of incubation, and then abandons its young to the Grey Warbler, which 

 instinctively accepts the charge, and caters untiringly for^ its support. In the first place it is 



l2 



