Tap Lith
CUCULUS SPARVERIOIDES.

Cuc. corpore supra brunnescentt-cinereo, capite plumbeo-cinereo ; subtus albo, collo rufo striato,
abdomine brunneo fasciato, pectore rufo tincto ; remigibus externé leviter rufo maculatis ;
rectricibus fascis brunneis latis rufo marginatis quatuor notatis.

Longitudo corporis, 16 unc.

Tue apparently inexhaustible stores of Ornithology which Nature displays in the Himalayan Mountains have
furnished several species of this rather limited genus, two of which are figured in the “Century.” The
present species is one of the largest of the group, and differs from the common Cookoo in the marking of
its plumage, the tail and wings being varied with several broad bars of brown, and the breast blotched with
patches of the same tint. This peculiarity of colouring gives it a great resemblance to some of the Walconide,
particularly the Falco sparverius, whence it derives its specific name, though in form and other respects it is
very similar to our Cuculus canorus, which, however, it rather exceeds in size. The Cuculus sparverioides
appears to be widely distributed over the Indian continent, from various parts of which it has been received.
It is figured in the ‘‘ Century” as a bird hitherto unknown to science.

It is to be lamented that no authentic account has been received concerning the habits and manners of this
bird ; and whether it is endowed, like its European congener, with the singular instinct that impels it to
deposit its eggs in the nests of other birds, remains yet a question which only future observation can
satisfactorily determine.

The top of the head, occiput and ear-coverts, are of a dull ash colour ; the upper surface deep cinereous
brown, the quills being slightly barred with rufous, and the tail-feathers barred with alternate bands of brown
and rufous; the throat and breast are white, the latter largely washed with dashes of brown and rufous ; the
abdomen, thighs, and under tail-coverts white, beautifully and regularly barred with transverse lines of
brown ; the beak is brown; the legs reddish yellow.

The figure is of the natural size.