MIMICRY OF CUCKOOS 
blotched eggs, so that they are more or less like the 
average bird’s egg. 
Another matter of interest concerning cuckoos is the 
frequently close likeness which many of them bear to 
other birds of quite different groups. This ‘‘ mimicry ”’ 
is to be seen in our own cuckoo, whose likeness to a hawk 
was commented upon by Aristotle. That small birds 
share in the deception seems to be shown by the fact 
that they will “mob” a cuckoo, apparently under the 
impression that they are annoying their hereditary 
enemy. The Indian “ brain fever bird” (Hierococcyx), 
is still more like a hawk, and it has deceived into a state 
of excitement small birds at the Zoo. The advantage 
of such a likeness may be held to be proved in these 
cases where a superficial resemblance may protect a 
feeble bird from assaults on the part of ravening, but 
timid and suspicious, fowls. There are, however, other 
cases somewhat different in their nature. A large 
Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx radiatus) lately 
exhibited in the Insect House at the Zoo, had the swag- 
gering strut of that “miles gloriosus”’ among birds, 
the “ game bird.’”” It may be that here the aspect of the 
cuckoo suggested to the hawk that under the swaggering 
gait lay an armature of spurs. The cuckoo to which 
we have already referred, viz. Centropus, includes a 
species which is named “ phasianus,’ a name which 
suggests precisely the same kind of similarity. 
TOURACOU 
The touracous with their brilliant colours, often red 
and green, are common occupants of the cages at the Zoo. 
These beautiful birds are African, and only African, 
in range. They are eminently tree-frequenting birds, 
and the outer toe is reversible in order that it can enable 
the bird to grapple with different needs as it moves 
from branch to branch. It is generally held that the 
Z.G. 1077 N 
