by Mr. Ayres, but we are not aware of any otber occurrence within
our limits, excepting the specimens obtained by Mr. Monteiro at
Novo Rodondo in Benguela, and by Senor Anchieta at Capangombe
in Mossamedes. Their food consists of caterpillars and several species
of Hymenoptera. Le Vaillant states that they deposit their eggs, which
are of a pinkish colour, dotted with clear brown spots, in the nests of
the “ Capoevogel,” “ Jan Fredrik” (Cossyphacaffra), and other small
birds. Our friend, Mr. L. du Toit, confirms this statement as regards
thè “ Jan Fredrik,” as also does Mr. Fred. Barber, who adds to the
list the nest of the Cape Canary (Grithagra canicollis). He says the
esrar is of a dark brown colour. OOA
dult.—Above greyish, with a slight gloss of oily green on the
scapulars and secondary feathers, the rump and upper tail-coverts
darker and inclining to cindery grey ; quills brown, barred with
white near the base of the inner web ; tail purplish black, glossed
with greenish near the base, tipped with white and marked with one
or two white spots along the shafts of the feathers, the inner web
also slightly marked with white on its edge ; throat clear bluish-
grey ; fore neck deep ferruginous, with slight indications of blackish
cross bars ; rest of under surface fulvous white, banded with blackish,
inclining to clear fawn on the under tail-coverts, where the cross
bars are narrower and more zig-zag in shape; bill horn-black,
yellowish at base of lower mandible and along basal edge of upper
one ; feet deep-orange, claws yellowish ; iris reddish hazel.
Fig. Levaill. Ois, d’Afr. v. pi. 206,
136. C u c u l u s c l a m o s u s , Black Cuckoo.
This Cuckoo, which is a true Cuculus with rounded and swollen
nostrils, must not be confounded with Coccystes serratus, which has
oval nostrils and a long occipital crest : its black colour will distinguish
it from every other Species of Cuckoo found in South
Africa.
Le Yaillant states that the “ noisy Cuckoo” is common about the
Sunday and Swartkop Rivers, and throughout Camdeboo, depositing
its eggs in the nest of the “ Capocier” (Dryrneecw maculosa). It has
also been found in the neighbourhood of Grahamstown and was
sent by Mr. T. C. Atmore from Elands’ Post and the Katberg. Mr,
Ayres has procured it in Natal and gives the following note :—“ This
bird has a very loud, harsh note, and is more shy than the generality
of Cuckoos ; it is active, remaining but a short time in the same spot;
it feeds on caterpillars; it visits this part of the country periodically,
disappearing during the winter months.” Mr. Buckley states that it
was a common species throughout Bamangwato and the Transvaal,
where he says that its note may be heard almost any time of the day
or .night. Mr. Andersson writes :—“ I first observed this species in
the neighbourhood of the River Okavango, but only very sparingly;
and the few individuals, which there came under my notice were so
excessively wild and wary that I only succeeded in bagging some
after an immense deal of trouble and smart shooting. They were
invariably perched on lofty trees, where they uttered loud cries, which
were my only guide to their whereabouts; and before I got near they
would leave their perches and dart with lightning speed through the
neighbouring thickets. They were wild shots these ! On a subsequent
occasion I observed a flock of fully a dozen of these Cuckoos
creating a desperate hubbub, on the 21st of December, at Objimbin-
que. I have also obtained specimens of this Cuckoo from Lake
N’garni.” Senor Anchieta has also procured it at Bibafla in Mossamedes.
Adult male.—Above glossy greenish black, with a slight shade of
dull indigo on the interscapulary region; quills brown, the primaries
whitish near the base of the inner web, where there are remains
of brownish bars, the innermost secondaries greenish black
like the back; tail greenish black, tipped with white, all the feathers
more or less inclining to brown on the inner webs ; under surface of
body black, with a slight greenish gloss, not so glossy as the back,
some of the under tail-coverts tipped with brownish white; bill
black; feet yellow, claws black; iris dark -brown. Total length,
12 inches; culmen, 0-95; wing, 7.2 ; tail, 6'2, tarsus, 0'75.
Fig. Levaill. Ois. d’Afr. v. pis. 204, 205.
138. C u c u l u s s m a r a q d i n e u s . Emerald Cuckoo.
Chalcites smaragdineus, Layafd, B. S. Afr. p. 251.
The Emerald Cuckoo of Southern Africa has by many people been
considered to be a distinct species from the bird inhabiting Western
Africa, and was called C. splendidus by the late Mr. G. R. Gray, but