“There seems to me to be no absolute uniformity in the color of the young birds, and some are much more spotted than others. If Mr. Whitehead’s surmise is correct, that the young female is also black like the male, then it is possible that the less spotted nestlings are males, which remain almost uniform till they take on the adult plumage after their first molt, while the feathers are even more mottled, foreshadowing the spotted dress which they are about to assume. The plumage of the adult female also varies, and very old birds appear to me to grow hoary, while the yellowish or reddish tinge on the head and throat may be considered as sure signs of youth.” (Shelley.)
“Whitehead insists, Ibis (1890), 46, that the Palawan species is E. mindanensis, and not E. malayana (honorata). Blasius, however, seems to think that he found both species among Dr. Platen’s birds. Steere identified the specimens secured by us in 1897 as E. malayana. We secured no additional material on our present trip.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
341. EUDYNAMYS MINDANENSIS (Linnæus).
PHILIPPINE KOEL.
- Cuculus mindanensis Linnæus, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, (1766), 1, 169.
- Eudynamis mindanensis Shelley, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1891), 19, 321; Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 165; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 63.
Ba-haó, Ticao; cu-aó, Masbate; pa-haó, Cagayancillo; bau-baó, Cuyo; cu-aoó, Calayan.
Apo (Celestino); Bantayan (McGregor); Basilan (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Bohol (McGregor); Bongao (Everett); Cagayancillo (McGregor); Calayan (McGregor); Caluya (Porter); Camiguin N. (McGregor); Cebu (Bourns & Worcester); Cuyo (McGregor); Fuga (McGregor); Guimaras (Meyer); Leyte (Whitehead); Luzon (Everett, Whitehead); Malanipa (Murray); Marinduque (Steere Exp.); Masbate (Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Mindanao (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Celestino, Goodfellow); Mindoro (Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead, McGregor, Porter); Negros (Steere, Bourns & Worcester, Keay); Palawan (Platen, Whitehead, Steere Exp.); Panay (Bourns & Worcester); Romblon (Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Samar (Steere Exp.); Semirara (McGregor & Worcester); Sibutu (Everett); Sibuyan (Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Siquijor (Bourns & Worcester, Celestino); Sulu (Platen, Bourns & Worcester); Tablas (Bourns & Worcester); Tawi Tawi (Bourns & Worcester); Ticao (McGregor). Sangi Islands.
“Adult male.—Similar in plumage to E. honorata. ‘Bill grayish green; legs dark lead-gray; claws black; iris crimson.’ (Everett.) Length, 373; culmen, 30; wing, 188; tail, 193; tarsus, 33.
“Adult female.—Similar in plumage to E. honorata but with the entire upper half of the head rufous, streaked or mottled with black; bars on the chest, abdomen, and under tail-coverts slightly narrower. ‘Bill pale green, deep orange at base; legs yellow, tinged green on the tarsus; nails gray; iris chrome-yellow.’ (Everett.) Length, 368; culmen, 32; wing, 19; tail, 19; tarsus, 33.” (Shelley.)
“A very common bird throughout the islands, especially abundant in mangrove swamps and in second growth. Called ‘bahów’ by the natives from its note. Frequently heard crying at dead of night. Five males average, 386 in length; wing, 189; tail, 185; culmen, 28; tarsus, 32; middle toe with claw, 46. Two females, length, 362; wing, 183; tail, 176; culmen, 28; tarsus, 29; middle toe with claw, 37. Eyes red; legs and feet leaden gray to nearly black; bill pale greenish. Food usually insects, but in one case fruit.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)