XCll 
INTRODUCTION. 
197. Nucifuaga caryocatactes Vol. in. PI. LXV. 
Nutcracker, 
198. Nucifraga caryocatactes .......... Vol. Ill, PI. LXVI, 
Nutcracker (young). 
Indigenous in most of the mountainous and woody countries of Europe; breeds abundantly in Switzerland. 
In England it can only be considered an accidental visitor. Mr; Harting, in his ‘ Handbook of British 
Birds/ enumerates about twenty instances of its occurrence here from the date Pennant wrote, 1753, to 
within a few years of the present time, 1872 ; still these visits can only be regarded as accidental. 
Family CUCULIDiE. 
The members of this great family of birds are rendered especially remarkable and interesting from the 
circumstance of the greater number of them having parasitic habits. The entire family comprises about two 
hundred species, which are subdivided into several subfamilies and many genera. They are universally 
dispersed over the temperate portions of the globe ; but not more than a fourth part of the whole number 
are found in America. 
Genus Cuculus. 
The members of this genus, restricted to the true Cuckoos, are tolerably numerous. One species inhabits 
Europe ; and there are others in India, China, Java, Sumatra, the islands of the Indian archipelago, and 
Australia ; they are also well represented in Africa. 
199. Cuculus canorus ........... Vol. III. PI. LXVII. 
Common Cuckoo. 
200. Cuculus canorus ........... Vol. III. PI. LX^TII. 
Common Cuckoo (young). 
The Common Cuckoo is a true migrant, coming to us from the south in May, and departing again in 
September, the young being frequently left behind to a later period of tlie year. 
I now find that the opinion ventured in my account of this species as to the impossibility of the young 
Cuckoo ejecting the young of its foster-parents at the early age of three or four days is erroneous ; for a lady 
of undoubted veracity and considerable ability as an observer of nature and as an artist has actually seen 
the act performed, and has Illustrated her statement of the fact by a sketch taken at the time, a tracing of 
which has been kindly sent to me by the Duke of Argyll, and I have considered it of sufficient Interest to 
