8 
PICARIAN BIRDS. 
myna breeds in holes of old rotten trees, sometimes using woodpeckers’ holes, 
making it more difficult to see the intruder in the dark; and no doubt, when the 
young bird emerges into daylight, it would startle the old birds to see the young 
cuckoos of any other colour. One of the young cuckoos was shot whilst being fed 
by the foster-parents, and no doubt the young cuckoo gets rid of the nestling 
myna at an early period. Of course it might be argued that it would not be 
YOUNG MALE OP THE INDIAN KOEL (i liat. size). 
necessary to deceive the myna, for other birds take care of their parasites; but 
perhaps the myna has a greater knowledge of the world.” The Indian koel ( E. 
honorata ) is the rain - bird of India. The bird is parasitic on crows, and it 
would appear from the notes of naturalists in India that the koels must look 
after their offspring to a certain extent, for they have been seen feeding their own 
young ones after they have left the nest. 
Long-ciawed Distributed over the great part of Africa, India, China, and 
Coucais. southwards through Malaysia to Australia, the coucals form not 
