Birds of Celebes: Cuculidae. 
219 
In some parts of its range — perhaps in all — C. lengalensis is not a 
strictly stationary species. Thus, in Cachar, Mr. Inglis says “this Coucal ai-rives 
about the beginning of June and departs at the close of the rains; breeds from 
June till September” (I 4)\ in Upper Pegu Mr. Oates found it “during 9 months 
of the year rather an uncommon bird” {13)\ in East Bengal Mr. Cripps “can- 
not recollect ever having noticed this species in the cold Aveather”, but has ob- 
served it from the beginning of May {I 6). Mr. Gammie remarks that it has 
increased largely of late in Sikkim. It is resident in South China, according 
to SAvinhoe (o 1)\ resident in Hong-Kong, a straggler to Amoy (f2)-, seden- 
tary, according to David and Oustalet, in Hainan and Formosa (e 2)\ “plen- 
tiful” as Kelham says (I 8) “at all seasons throughout Perak, Larut, Port 
Wellesly, Johore, and all the Settlements”. 
It is not, therefore, surprising that in the East Indies, as the measurements 
of Hume, W. Blasius and Salvadori tend to shoAv, the species should ditfer 
slightly in size from those found from Malacca to India; but there appears to 
be sufficient stir going on Avithin the species as a whole to prevent the deve- 
lopment of any well marked local differences of coloration. In Malacca, Su- 
matra and Borneo a form, Avhich Ave believe to be only an occasional variety 
of this species, has the under wing-coverts black, and is separated by Capt. 
Shelley as a distinct species, C. rectunguis.^) 
What is knoAvn about this species is not yet sufficient for deciding Avhether, 
and AA’here, trinomials might be judiciously conferred, and this must be left to 
the future, AA'hen the form is better knoAAm. 
Mr. Gammie gives an excellent description of its habits in Sikkim. 
“Among the grassy scrub, up to 3500 feet, it is now abundant, where, only a 
feAv years ago, it was rarely to be found. In the earlier part of the rainy 
season its odd, monotonous notes are to be heard in every direction. I am not 
sure that the male calls, but have shot the female — as I found by dissection 
— AA'hen calling. It has a call of a double series of notes: jAvhoot, whoot, 
AA’hoot, AAEoot ; then often a pause of four or five seconds, kurook, kiu’ook, kiu’ook, 
kurook. The AAEoot is ventriloquistic, sounding as coming from a distance of 
six or eight yards from the bird. Before calling, it seats itself about five feet 
from the ground, then you see it draAV its neck and body together, slightly puffing- 
out its body-feathers, raising its back and depressing its tail, and for eA’ery whoot 
there is a violent throb of the body as if the bird Avas in gveat pain, at the 
same time the motion of the throat is scarcely perceptible and its bill is closed. 
Then, as if greatly relieved, it stretches itself out, the feathers fall smooth, and 
Avith open mouth and throbbing throat comes the kmook Avithout the slightest 
attempt at ventriloquism. When searching for the caller one must take no notice 
1) It can liardly be Centropus rectunguis Strickl., since that species has “a deep blue tint on the 
head, neck and breast”, and no mention is made by Strickland of black rxnder wing-coverts; but these, 
and a bright gloss of “green on the head, back and lower breast” are the chief means of distinguishing 
C. rectunguis Shelley. 
28 * 
