Tas. LILI. 
CUCULUS SPARVERIOIDES. 
Cuc. corpore supra brunnescenti-cinereo, capite plumbeo-cimereo ; subtus albo, collo rufo striato, 
abdomine brunneo fasciato, pectore rufo tincto ; remigibus externé leviter rufo maculatis ; 
rectricibus fascis brunneis latis rufo marginatis quatuor notatis. 
Longitudo corporis, 16 unc. 
Tue apparently mexhaustible stores of Ornithology which Nature displays in the Himalayan Mountains have 
furnished several species of this rather limited genus, two of which are figured in the “Century.” The 
present species is one of the largest of the group, and differs from the common Cookoo in the marking of 
its plumage, the tail and wings being varied with several broad bars of brown, and the breast blotched with 
patches of the same tint. This peculiarity of colouring gives it a great resemblance to some of the Fulconide, 
particularly the Falco sparverius, whence it derives its specific name, though in form and other respects it is 
very similar to our Cuculus canorus, which, however, it rather exceeds in size. The Cuculus sparverioi des 
appears to be widely distributed over the Indian continent, from various parts of which it has been received. 
It is figured in the ‘‘ Century ” as a bird hitherto unknown to science. 
It is to be lamented that no authentic account has been received concerning the habits and manners of this 
bird ; and whether it is endowed, like its European congener, with the singular instinct that. impels it to 
deposit its eggs in the nests of other birds, remains yet a question which only future observation can 
satisfactorily determine. 
The top of the head, occiput and ear-coverts, are of a dull ash colour ; the upper surface deep cinereous 
brown, the quills being slightly barred with rufous, and the tail-feathers barred with alternate bands of brown 
and rufous; the throat and breast are white, the latter largely washed with dashes of brown and rufous ; the 
abdomen, thighs, and under tail-coverts white, beautifully and regularly barred with transverse lines of 
brown ; the beak is brown; the legs reddish yellow. 
The figure is of the natural size. 
