(CHESTNUT CUCKOO.)
+Piaya cayana+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 108; _Salvin, Ibis_,
1880, p. 361 (Tucuman); _White, P. Z. S._ 1882, p. 619
(Misiones).
_Description._--Above deep chestnut-red: beneath pale grey, passing
into blackish on the crissum; throat and neck pale chestnut-brown;
tail-feathers beneath brown, more or less blackish, and, except the
middle pair which are like the back, broadly tipped with white:
whole length 16·0 inches, wing 5·5, tail 10·5. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Central and South America.
This is a widely-spread form of Cuckoo in Central and South America, and
reaches the northern territories of the Argentine Republic, having been
obtained by Durnford near Tucuman, and by White in Misiones. The whole
bird is about 18 inches long, and the tail very long in proportion,
about 11 inches. The entire plumage, except the breast and belly, which
are grey, is chestnut colour. The beak is very strong, and yellowish
green in colour; the irides, ruby-red, the eyelids scarlet.
In Colombia this Cuckoo is said to be called _Pajaro ardilla_
(Squirrel-bird), from its chestnut tint. It seems to feed chiefly, if
not altogether, on the ground, and when perched always appears awkward
and ill-at-ease. On a branch it sits motionless, until approached, and
then creeps away through the leaves and escapes on the opposite side of
the tree. This, however, is a habit common to most Cuckoos. Its language
is a loud screaming cry, on account of which the Brazilians call it
_Alma do gato_, implying that it possesses the soul of a cat. It is a
very shy retiring bird, and in this respect is more like a _Coccyzus_
than a _Guira_.
For these facts we are indebted to Léotaud, Fraser, Forbes, White, and
others; each of these observers having contributed a few words to a
history of this interesting bird's habits.