CHAPTER LXX. 



The Cuckoo. 



CiiGulus canorus, Lin. ; Le Coucou, Buf. 



Description and Character. — This peculiar and remarkable 

 bird is an enigma in many respects to ornithologists generally, 

 and although much has been learnt as to its singular habits 

 during the present century, there are still many mysteries 

 connected with its character and actions that are difficult of 

 solution. The Cuckoo is a noble, well -formed bird, pleasingly 

 diversified in the colours and markings of its plumage, but 

 very unsocial and timid, and most difficult to deal with in a 

 state of captivity. 



The Cuckoo is as large as the Hawk, being 14in. in length 

 from tip of the beak to end of the tail, the latter measuring 

 7^in. The expanded wings measure 25in. from tip to tip. 

 The bill is nearly lin. in length, and slightly incurvated. 

 The upper mandible is black, and the lower one bluish black, 

 yellow at the corners of the lips, and orange at the base of 

 the bill, the latter being rather weak for so large a bird. 

 The irides and circles surrounding the eyelids are yellow ; the 

 nostrils are round, and very prominent, forming a sort of rim. 

 The head, back of the neck, back, saddle, rump, and wing 

 coverts, are bluish ashen grey, the back and shoulders having 

 iridescent reflections. The head and back are darker than 

 the rump ; the throat, fore part of the neck, and upper 

 portion of the breast, are of a delicate pearly grey colour ; 

 the greater portion of the breast and belly is white, beauti- 

 fully barred with undulated lines of black ; the vent is buff 



