ENE OD WC TT ON,

Genus OxyLoruus.
There are several species of this genus, which inhabit Africa, India, and some of the islands to the southward.
They are, I believe, all parasitic, laying their eggs in the nests of Crows, Magpies, and other large birds.
201. OxyLopuus GLANDARIUS ; : : : ; ; : : Vo Ene EE IDNXe

Great Srorrep Cuckoo.

Two individuals of this species having been killed in. our islands, one in Ireland and another in Northum-

berland, it becomes necessary to figure it in the present work Respecting this latter example, I received

the following note from Lord Ravensworth, Dec. 5, 1871 :—.-

 

 

 

 

“You will no doubt be interested to hear that a specimen of the Great Spotted Cuckoo was shot last

summer, in July or August, upon the moors at Hesleyside, the noted seat of W. H. Charlton, Esq., on the

 

banks of the North Tyne. It has been preserved, but unluckily is indifferently set up.” The Rev. H. B.

Tristram informs me that he handled this bird in the flesh before it had been skinned.

In Southern Europe this bird is plentiful during summer, and in North Africa it is to be seen at all times.

Even the rapacious Hooded Crow does not disdain to become the foster-parent of the young of this species.

 

Genus Coccyzus.

 

Composed of a limited number of species, all American, of which two have been killed in our islands.

202. Coccyzus AMERICANUS.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Five instances of the occurrence of this species with us have been recorded by Mr. Harting in his ‘ Hand-

 

book of British Birds’-—two in Ireland, two in Wales, and one in Cornwall. A figure will be found in

 

Yarrell’s ‘ History of British Birds,’ vol. ii. p. 210.
203. Coccyzus ERYTHROPHTHALMUS.
Black-billed Cuckoo.
One killed in the county Antrim, Sept. 25, 1871 (see ‘ Zoologist,’ 1872, p. 3022).
I have not considered it necessary to figure these two American species, as they certainly do not belong

to our fauna.

Family PICID.

With the exception of Australia, New Zealand, and Polynesia, Woodpeckers are distributed over the

temperate and warmer regions of every country both of the Old and the New World. About 300 species