The EGYPTIAN COUCAL (_Centropus Ægypticus_), a species inhabiting Africa,
possesses a comparatively short tail, and plumage of a reddish brown
tint; the head and nape are black, the back and wings chestnut-brown;
the tail-feathers greenish black, bordered with white; and all the lower
portions of the body of a fallow-grey. The eye is bright purple, the beak
black, and foot deep brownish grey. This species is fourteen inches long
and sixteen and a half broad; the wing, in which the sixth quill exceeds
the rest in length, is five inches and a half, and the tail seven inches
and a half.
The Egyptian Coucal is commonly met with in some parts of Egypt, and is
by no means rare in other portions of North-eastern Africa; everywhere
it frequents the dense woods and forests, or extensive beds of reeds,
penetrating the densest thickets with all the wonderful dexterity of the
Mouse Birds. Unlike most members of the family, this species leads an
indolent and quiet life, frequently perching motionless at the summit
of its bushy fastnesses, or hovering over their surface, while watching
for its insect prey. Ants, we are told, it frequently consumes in such
quantities as to impart a most revolting odour to its body. Like its
congeners, the adult Spurred Cuckoo is always met with in company with
its mate; while the young, on the contrary, often lead a solitary life
for several years before pairing. The nest found by ourselves in the
Delta was placed in the bushy crown of an olive-tree, and almost entirely
constructed of the husks of maize; the young contained therein were
partially fledged, the time of year being the month of June. We could not
succeed in obtaining an egg. This Coucal is but seldom captured by the
natives, owing to the impracticable nature of its favourite haunts and the
uninviting savour of its flesh. We have but once seen it caught.
* * * * *
The CROW PHEASANTS (_Centrococcyx_), an Indian group of the above birds,
are recognisable by their long, graduated tail, and the black markings on
the reddish brown wings.