Cuckoo n. (Zool.) A bird belonging to Cuculus, Coccyzus, and several allied genera, of many species. Note: The European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) builds no nest of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. The American yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus Americanus) and the black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) build their own nests.
Cuckoo clock, a clock so constructed that at the time for striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the cuckoo.
Cuckoo dove (Zool.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus Macropygia. Many species inhabit the East Indies.
Cuckoo fish (Zool.), the European red gurnard (Trigla cuculus). The name probably alludes to the sound that it utters.
Cuckoo falcon (Zool.), any falcon of the genus Baza. The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.
Cuckoo maid (Zool.), the wryneck; called also cuckoo mate.
Cuckoo ray (Zool.), a British ray (Raia miraletus).
Cuckoo spit, or Cuckoo spittle.
(a)
A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the larvae of certain insects, for concealment; called also toad spittle and frog spit.
(b)
(Zool.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this secretion. The insects belong to Aphrophora, Helochara, and allied genera.
... Omission Choice Natural Fireworks Conspiracy Cuckoo Clock The Sentinel Royalty Crackers ... — Songs for Parents • John Farrar
... West I remember she had a very pretty mezzo-concertina voice, but she's been so long away helping Stub Wilson to make Milwaukee famous that nowadays her top notes sound like a cuckoo clock after it's been ... — You Should Worry Says John Henry • George V. Hobart
... the comforting solidity of the Sun, the clock-work of the familiar planets and the Moon rang in on him. Our own solar system was as charming and as simple as an ancient cuckoo clock filled with familiar ticking and with reassuring noises. The odd little moons of Mars swung around their planet like frantic mice, yet their regularity was itself an assurance that all was well. Far above the plane of the ecliptic, he could feel half a ton of dust ... — The Game of Rat and Dragon • Cordwainer Smith
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