302 cuckow. 



The female, and young male are glossy blue-black above, but 

 barred beneath dusky and dull buff-colour ; quills and tail as in the 

 male. 



This species is found in great abundance in the country of the 

 Caffres, and in the interior towards Sondag, Swarte-kop, and all 

 Camdeboo, but not in the neighbourhood of the Cape, nor in the 

 country of Hottniqua, where indeed no species of Cuckow has been 

 found. It is said, that this kind lays the eggs in the nests of the 

 Pine pine Titmouse, and Great-tailed Warbler ; and it seems difficult 

 on this occasion, to conceive how they could be introduced, except 

 it were possible for the bird to take the egg first in its mouth, 

 and then put it into the hole left on the side of the nest, the only 

 entrance. It is known to the Europeans by the name of Criard, being 

 a very noisy species, and to be heard at a great distance. The note 

 consists of various sounds, very distinct, and it passes whole hours 

 in singing without interruption, leading the sportsman to the place 

 where it is sitting. — M. Levaillant observed an egg of one of these in 

 the nest of the Grivetin,* but found it cast out again, and it is there- 

 fore plain, that eggs laid by Cuckows in other bird's nests, are not 

 always taken care of. 



54 —CAPE CUCKOW. 



Cuculus Capensis, Ind. Om. i. 208. Gm. Lin. i. 410. Gen. Zool. ix. p. 85. Tern. 



Man. Ed. ii. Anal. p. lxxiii. 

 Coucou du Cap de B. Esperance, Buf. vi. 353. PI. enl. 390. 

 Cape Cuckow, Gen. Syn. ii. 513. 



THIS is rather smaller than the European Cuckow ; length not 

 quite eleven inches. Bill deep brown; i rides yellow ; plumage above 

 greenish brown ; throat, cheeks, neck before, and upper wing coverts 



* Levail. Afr. iii. 80. pi. 118.— Our Piping Warbler. 



