1846.] or Little Known Species of Birds. 19 



male soon began to utter his cry, cuckoo, generally of a morning and 

 evening, ten or twenty times successively. The note was certainly 

 harsher and less musical than that of the English bird, whether heard 

 near or at a distance. It is very desirable that observers who have the 

 opportunity, should strive to elucidate this very difficult little group of 

 Cuckoos : it is probable that attention to their notes would essentially 

 assist the study of them ; and to naturalists located in the hilly parts 

 of the country, we must chiefly look for conclusive information on the 

 subject. 



Simotes, nobis, n. g. Nearly allied to restricted Cuculus, but differing 

 in the great breadth and depression of the beak, which considerably 

 resembles that of Casmarhynchus, Tern., in general outline, being 

 however flatter, especially underneath, where the rami are united for 

 their terminal half or more, measuring from the gape ; the nostrils 

 being also formed as in other Cuculi ; and the tip of the upper mandible 

 entire, or unemarginated. Rest as in ordinary Cuckoos. 



5. albivertex, nobis. Glossy black, with a broad white vertical 

 medial band from the forehead to the occiput. Some white feathers 

 also on the throat ; and slight whitish tips to the outer tail-feathers. 

 In immature plumage, the black is less intense, and the feathers are 

 looser in texture ; but there are no cross-bars. Bill black, paler below ; 

 and the interior of the mouth wholly yellow : legs dark brown, the 

 tarsi half-feathered externally. Length about fourteen inches ; of 

 wing six and a half, or seven inches ; and tail the same : bill to gape an 

 inch and three-eighths, and half an inch broad at the nostrils : tarse 

 seven-eighths of an inch. From Borneo (I have reason to believe) ; 

 being sent with other birds from that island by Mr. Jerdon. 



Taccocua affinis, nobis. Three species- of this division are distin- 

 guished in Vol. XIV, p. 200 ; and subsequent observation has con- 

 firmed the propriety of the separation : but I find that the Sirkeer 

 of the Rajmahl and Monghyr hills requires further to be distinguished 

 from that of the Cawnpore district, higher up the Ganges in the 

 WNW. direction. Dr. Stewart has favoured the Society with a 

 Rajmahl specimen, which he justly remarks can be reconciled with 

 neither of my descriptions. It combines the size of T. sirkee with the 

 colouring of T. infuscata ; but has the bill rather more abruptly curved 

 over than in either, and coloured as in all its congeners. Wing six 



