CUCULIDiE CEUTHMOCHAKES 211 



base of the upper mandible above the nostrils ; legs and feet 

 black. 



Length 13-25 ; wing 4-90 ; tail 8-20 ; culmen 1-1 ; tarsus 1-1. 



Distribution. — This bird is confined to east and south-east Africa, 

 from Kilimanjaro and Lamu in British east Africa southwards 

 through German territory and Nyasaland to Natal. 



It is not uncommon near Durban, where it has been obtained 

 by Ayres, Shelley and Millar ; it is also found in Zululand (Wood- 

 ward), and at Inhambane (Francis), but does not appear to extend 

 any great distance away from the coast lands. 



Fig. 69, — Left foot of Ceuthmochares australis. x |. 



Habits. — The Green Coucal frequents dense bush, where it 

 creeps about Uke a Mouse bird ; it is not very active, and feeds 

 principally on locusts and large grasshoppers. The Woodwards 

 state that it has a very extraordinary long-drawn-out cry preceded 

 by a chuckling sound. 



Mr. Millar gives me the following account : " This Coucal is 

 generally found in pairs along the coast belt of bush, creeping about 

 the thickets in search of food. It builds its own nest, con- 

 sisting principally of leaves and small twigs, which is placed in 

 a thicket from 10 to 16 feet from the ground. The last nest I took 

 on November 8, 1899, at Clairmont (near Durban), contained three 



