INTRODUCTION. 
xcv 
Genus Oxylophus. 
There are several species of this genus, which inhabit Africa, India, and some of the islands to the southward. 
They are, I believ^e, all parasitic, laying their eggs in the nests of Crows, Magpies, and other large birds. 
201. Oxylophus glaxdarius .......... Vol. III. PI. LXIX. 
Great Spotted Cuckoo. 
Two individuals of this species having been killed in our Islands, one in Ireland and another in Northum- 
berland, it becomes necessary to figure it in the present work. Respecting this latter example, I received 
the following note from Lord Ravensworth, Dec. 5, 1871 : — 
“You will no doubt be Interested to hear that a specimen of the Great Spotted Cuckoo was shot last 
summer, in July or August, upon the moors at Hesleyside, the noted seat of W. H. Charlton, Esq., on the 
banks of the North Tyne. It has been preserved, but unluckily is indifferently set up.” The Rev. H. B. 
Tristram informs me that he handled this bird in the flesh before it had been skinned. 
In Southern Europe this bird is plentiful during summer, and in North Africa it is to be seen at all times. 
Even the rapacious Hooded Crow does not disdain to become the foster-parent of the young of this species. 
Genus Coccyzus. 
Composed of a limited number of species, all American, of which two have been killed in our islands. 
202. Coccyzus American us. 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 
Five instances of the occurrence of this species with us have been recorded by Mr. Harting in his ‘ Hand- 
book of British Birds’ — two in Ireland, two in Wales, and one in Cornwall. A figure will be found in 
Yarrell’s ‘ History of British Birds,’ vol. ii. p. 210. 
203. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. 
Black-billed Cuckoo. 
One killed in the county Antrim, Sept. 25, 1871 (see ‘ Zoologist,’ 1872, p. 3022). 
I have not considered it necessary to figure these two American species, as they certainly do not belong 
to our fauna. 
Family PICIDAE. 
With the exception of Australia, New Zealand, and Polynesia, M^oodpeckers are distributed over the 
temperate and warmer regions of every country both of the Old and the New World. About 300 species 
