on a neighbouring bough, both invariably asleep; that the male participates in the'duty of incubation 1
ascertained by having- accidentally shot a bird- on the nest without being aware it was so occupied, which
on dissection proved to be a male. The eggs are generally two in number, of a beautiful immaculate
white, and o f a long oval form, one inch and ten lines in length by one inch and three lines in diameter.
The sexes so closely resemble each other both in size and plumage, that a separate description is unnecessary.
Like the other species of the genus, it is subject to considerable variation in its colouring ; the
young, which assume the adult livery at an early age, being somewhat darker in all their markings.
The night-call of this species is a loud hoarse noise, consisting of two distinct sounds, which cannot be
correctly described.
The stomach is thick and muscular, and is lined with a thick hair-like substance like that o f the Common
Cuckoo.
All tbe upper surface brown, speckled witb greyisb wbite and darker brown, the feathers of the crown
having a blackish brown stripe down the centre terminating in a minnte spot of white ; wings similar to
the uppw surface, but lighter and with bolder black and buff spots, the coverts having an irregular spot of
white and tawny on the outer web near the tip, which, as they lie over each other, form indistinct bands
across the wing; primaries brownish black, with light-coloured shafts, and with a series of whitish spots
on the outer webs, between which they are margined with tawny; their inner webs irregularly barred with
the same ; tail tawny brown, sprinkled with lighter brown, and crossed witb a series of irregular bands of
brown, sprinkled with dusky white, each feather having a spot o f brownish black near the extremity,
and tipped with white; face and all the under surface greyish white, crossed by numerous narrow and nre-
gnlar bars o f tawny, and with a stripe of brown down the centre of 'each feather, the latter colour being
most conspicuous and forming a kind of semilnnar mark down each side of the chest; bill light brown,
tinged with purple; inside of the mouth pale yellow; tongue long, transparent, and of the same colour
with the inside of the mouth; ¡rides brownish orange; feet light brownish olive.
In some the rich tawny colour predominates, while others are more grey.
The bird is represented o f the natural size, asleep, in the position itiis usually seen during the day.-