THE CUCKOO. 53 
Family—CUCULIDA:. 
THE GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. 
Coccystes glandarius, LANN. 
BOUT three examples of this species have been obtained at long intervals 
ranging over upwards of fifty years; the first specimen being an immature 
example in poor condition captured on the island of Omey, off the coast of 
Connemara, and the last being, I believe, obtained as lately as 1896. It is an 
inhabitant of Southern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, but visits 
South Africa in the winter. It seems probable that these specimens may have 
escaped from captivity; but at best the species can only be regarded as a chance 
wanderer to our shores. 
Family—CUCULIDA. 
THE AMERICAN YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 
Coccyzus americanus, LINN. 
IX examples of this bird have been shot or picked up dead in the British 
Isles, the first in co. Cork in 1825, and the last on Lundy Island in October 
1874. I quite agree with Howard Saunders in being unable to “believe that they 
have crossed the Atlantic without human assistance.” 
