of Hongkong , Macao, and Canton . 47 
its locality given as the Philippines, Cape, and Coromandel 
coast. 
The loud notes of this bird first drew my attention to it in 
the city of Canton. I was told that this noise-producer was 
called the “ Summer Bird” among the European residents, from 
its arriving at the commencement of the hot season. Its note 
maybe syllabled “co'-o'-ah” pronounced loudly and with stress, 
which it keeps on repeating, the loudness and vigour increasing 
every time, until the sound suddenly stops. On hearing the 
call, you have only to look to some well-exposed tree or branch, 
and you are almost sure to see the bird; but it seems to prefer 
the leafless top branches of the gigantic Bornbax malabaricum , 
where its large black form is plainly visible, bending forward 
and stretching its neck while the startling notes are emitted. 
If approached too near, the bird flies off with a straight flight,— 
looking, however, in form much like a Drongo Shrike. One 
that I was watching flew off to another large tree in which 
there was a MagnaPs nest, and close to the nest a brown bird 
much like himself in form. The browfl. bird turned out to be 
the female, and set up a chattering noise on the arrival of her 
mate. She very probably had dropped, or had come to drop, an 
egg into the nest; for the Magnal ( Gracupica nigricollis) soon 
returned to the tree, and seeing strangers so near his abode, 
charged them. The Magnal, however, was defeated and driven 
off, and the Cuckoos remained victorious. I was fortunate 
enough to procure a pair, which I enclose; but the bird was by 
no means uncommon, for I have heard no less than three males 
calling within ear-shot of one another. 
Male. —Length 15^ in .; wing 7 \ ; tail 7\, with ten feathers. 
Bill pale bluish grey, becoming pale yellowish towards the tip. 
Inside of mouth flesh-colour. Iris clear carmine. Legs lead- 
colour, greyish at the joints and on the soles. Whole plumage 
greenish black. 
Female. —Length 15 in.; wing 7\, tail 7\, expanse 19^-. Bill 
pale greenish ochre, varied with brown. Inside of mouth flesh- 
colour. Iris reddish brown. Legs leaden blue; soles yellowish 
grey; claws brownish grey. Tail a good deal worn and jagged 
at the ends and sides of the feathers, proving to a certain degree 
