THE BIRDS OF LIBERIA 675 
This is the Chrysococcyx cupreus of most writers. From its coloring one would 
think this probably a bird of the forest, but the few we saw were in open areas 
about villages, perching on the topmost twig of even tall trees, whence they 
sallied out apparently for insects after the manner of flycatchers. At times, too, 
they would perch motionless on a low branch in an open situation. The first 
pair we saw at Yenghi, September 30, we took for small hawks, so similar were 
their manner of flight and habit of perching quietly on commanding points. 
The stomach of one of these contained remains of small insects and a caterpillar. 
At Moala, November 3, one was taken in an open field with small trees about. 
Bittikofer speaks of it being often met with in such situations and he found 
it also in the forests back of Monrovia; while on the Kru coast, Lowe found it a 
common bird in swampy places. 
Lampromorpha klaasi (Stephens). Klaas’s Golden Cuckoo 
Cuculus klaast Stephens, in Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. 9, p. 128, 1815: Platte River, So. Africa. 
Rather similar in general to the preceding but slightly smaller, and with the coppery green 
extending upon the sides of the upper throat and breast, and the outer tail-feathers nearly all white 
with a small green subterminal spot on the outer vane. The barring on the belly is finer and less 
obvious. The female may be told from that of the last species by the tail-feathers being nearly all 
white. Africa. 
This is doubtless the less common of the two species of its genus in Liberia, 
but the general similarity of its coloration to that of the preceding may cause 
confusion in the field. The greater extent of green on the sides of the throat 
and the nearly white instead of barred outer tail-feathers will, however, readily 
identify it. Biuttikofer in all his collecting secured but three specimens: an 
adult male at Hill Town, one from the lower Farmington River, and a third 
from Robertport (Bittikofer, 1888, p. 96; 1889, p. 125; 1890, p. 206). Lowe, 
however, in a brief time ashore at Nana Kru, on the south coast, secured a 
female and a male, respectively, on January 13 and 20, 1911. It is interesting 
that two rather closely allied species of this genus should occur together as 
here in Liberia, and one would expect that there might be some difference in 
their habits, perhaps in the species of birds each parasitizes, for like the Euro- 
pean Cuckoo, these lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Dr. Herbert 
Friedmann has suggested that as the nestlings of these two species and of Chryso- 
coccyx are readily told apart, it would be valuable if persons having the op- 
portunity to do so, would record what birds are found parasitized by each. 
He has therefore kindly supplied the following key: — 
Key To NESTLINGS OF THE METALLIC CucKoos 
A. Back coppery brown..... PR RE rey ee ees Lampromorpha caprius (Didrie Cuckoo) 
B. Back greenish. 
a. Forehead barred with brown; outer upper tail-coverts margined with white 
Lampromorpha klaasi (Klaas’s Cuckoo). 
b. Forehead barred with white; outer upper tail-coverts not margined with white 
Chrysococcyx cupreus (Emerald Cuckoo). 
