BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
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8. Pallid Cuckoo Cuculns pallidus Latham 
Cu-cu-lus — L., cuculus, cuckoo: pall'-id-us — L., pallidus , pallid. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Grasshopper Hawk, Harbinger-of-Spring, Storm- 
bird, Semitone-bird, Scale-bird, and Brain-fever bird. Usually met singly; 
arrives in August and departs during February. It has an undulating and 
rapid flight with the true cuckoo habit of elevating its tail when alighting. 
Call, a series of loud crescendo notes, ascending the scale, varied occa- 
sionally with a few harsh notes. One of the most useful of birds, destroy- 
ing large numbers of insects and their larvae. Caterpillars form the chief 
article of diet, especially those covered with hair-like bristles which few 
species of birds eat. 
Parasitic — known foster-parents number about eighty- four species 
(chiefly Honey-eaters). Usually selects as foster-parents species that 
build open nests. 
Egg . — Uniform flesh colour; some have a few dots of a darker hue 
scattered over the shell. Breeding-season: September to January (New 
South Wales). 
9. Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus Gould 
op-ta-tus — L., optatus, wished for. 
Distribution. — Northern Australia, and accidental to south-eastern 
Australia; also found in Siberia, India, to New Guinea. 
Notes. — Very little is known of this Cuckoo, except that it is seldom 
found far from the coast. It is remarkably shy and solitary in habits, and 
its call is not unlike that of the Pallid Cuckoo. 
Parasitic — recorded foster parent Phyller gates coronatus (Omston). 
Egg. — White; a very perfect elongated oval, a shade narrower at 
one end, measuring 0-8 in. by 0*55 in. (Allan Omston). 
10. Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sanctus Vigors and Horsfield 
Hat-cy-on — Gk, alcyon, a sea-bird, later the kingfisher ; hal, the sea ; cyon, 
breeding: sanc-tus — L., sanctus, sacred. 
Distribution . — Australia (except central Australia and Tasmania) ; 
occurs also in Sumatra, Borneo, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and New 
Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Wood Kingfisher, Forest Kingfisher, Tree King- 
fisher, and Green Kingfisher. Usually in pairs, arrives in August or early 
September, departs in March. Odd pairs often remain throughout the 
year. It has a peevish note usually uttered four times, frequently during 
the night; it emits harsh cries if one approaches its nest, and will attack 
an intruder. Food : small lizards, fish, crabs, and larger insects and their 
larvae. 
Nest . — In a hollow limb of a tree, in a bank, or in a termites’ (white 
ants) nest in a tree. The birds drill a hole in the termites’ nest by piercing 
it with the tips of their closed bills. After the entrance is formed they 
excavate a chamber large enough to accommodate themselves and family. 
Eggs. — Four to six, pure white and rounded. Breeding-season : Octo- 
ber to January. 
