SQUARE-TAILED (BRUSH) CUCKOO. 
think it belongs to our two last species, which we have already stated that he 
fancied were the same. Upon inquiring, however, further from that gentleman, 
we find that his suspicions were founded merely on the circumstance of his 
having met with all these birds in the same place and at the same period. 
Although we have some doubt respecting our C. incertus being a distinct species, 
we have little respecting the present bird, which seems to belong to a different 
sectioji of the genus from that in which the preceding species are included. 
Tlie wings are shorter and more rounded, the tail also shorter and less 
graduated, and the tarsi are more naked and more elevated. There are six 
or seven species of Cuculus belonging to Australia and Africa, which form 
part of the same section of the group, and which differ from the bird before 
us onty in their colours being bright and metallic. It is the want of these 
colours chiefly that causes us to consider the specimen before us as a young 
bird. In its general structure it has the characters of the birds to which we 
allude, and which in their young state are also without the shining tints of the 
adult birds, although perhaps not so decidedly so as our present species. Mr. 
Caley informs us that he met with the three last described species in the 
neighbourhood of Parramatta. They frequented the green wattle-trees which 
were of low growth. They made their appearance on the approach of winter : 
and it was Mr. Caley’s opinion that they migrated southerly at the commence- 
ment of spring.” 
Gould, ignoring the clear statement as to the differences, described a new 
species under the name Cuculus insperatus, writing : “ While traversing the 
cedar brushes of the Liverpool Range on the 26th of October, 1839, my attention 
was attracted by the appearance of a Cuckoo, which I at first mistook for the 
Cacomantis flabelliformis .... on comparison .... differ in its smaller size in 
the more square form of the tail . . . .” and added ‘‘ Cuculus dumetorum .... 
from the north-western coast, differs from C. insperatus in being of a much 
smaller size and in the whole of the plumge being browner.” 
There seems to be little on record regarding this species. 
Mr. J. P. Rogers’ notes from North-west Australia read : “ Aug. 19, 
1908. Heard one of these birds calling at Wyndham. Again on 23rd about 
twenty minutes after sundown. Sept. lOth. Saw the bird and during 
October heard at various times, apparently a straggler as it was heard near the 
same place. On Nov. 3 many of these birds were seen, in company with 
0. osculans and N. hasalis : they were feeding at the same spot on the banks 
of Parry’s Creek. Very numerous throughout November and continue during 
the wet season up to March after which time they were not seen.” From 
Melville Island he wrote : “ Cooper’s Camp, Oct. 15, 1911, Since reaching 
here a few of these birds have been seen or heard. Dec. 16, 1911. Are 
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