Among the birds of numerous kinds which abound on the plains, there are
several worthy of notice. One is remarkable from its habits.
It deposits its eggs, like the cuckoo, in the nests of other birds.
Several of them may be seen standing together on the back of a cow or
horse. They also perch on low boughs: and while pluming themselves in
the sun, attempt to sing; but their voice is rather like a hiss,
resembling that of bubbles of air passing rapidly from a small orifice
under water, so as to produce an acute sound.