FLORA AND FAUNA 
49 
the African form. Falcons, kites, and hawks are repre¬ 
sented by species peculiar to the island [Falco zoniveniris^ 
Circus Maillardi^ Nisus Lantzii) ; the nocturnal owls are 
of course regarded by the superstitious Malagasy as 
ominous of death; our barn owl has also become domiciled 
here. Amongf the eared owls there is to be reckoned 
Ohts madagascaiUensis^ among screech-owls Noctua Polleni 
and a dwarf owl [Scops manadensis). 
The cuckoos are represented by some dozen species, 
which enliven the lonely wood with their incessant cry. 
They are solitary birds, they fly somewhat clumsily and 
pursue the insects and slugs, sometimes also ruthlessly 
plundering the nests of other birds. The genus Coua, 
of numerous species, is peculiar to this region. Five 
species on the eastern and seven on the western side 
are known. The characteristic bird of the east side is 
the sky-blue Coua coertdea. 
The parrots are neither numerous nor remarkable for 
beauty of plumage. Coracopsis obsc2tra and the some¬ 
what smaller C. nigra sometimes do injury to the rice- 
fields. They are of a suspicious nature and when 
pursued quickly betake themselves to the highest trees. 
Of late years a small and elegant parrot has made 
its way to the markets of Europe; this is the greyheaded 
Psittacida madagascariensis^ which is often met with in 
enormous flocks among the raphia forests. It is sought 
after for its flesh, being very good eating. 
Of swallows there are known the martins and the 
esculent swallows, which build their nests among the 
rocks; one of the two species of goatsucker closely 
resembles our European species. 
The screamers are represented by the peculiar genera 
Ettrystoinus^ Leptosonius and Brachypteracias. 
Beside the streams in the forest we meet with the 
kingfisher [Alcedo cristata)^ distinguished by its long crest 
of feathers; a second species [Ipsidina madagascariensis) 
4 
