\Cuck"oo\ (k??k"??), n. [OE. coccou, cukkow, F. coucou,
prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. cuculus, Gr. ????, Skr.
k?ki?a, G. kuckuk, D. koekoek.] (Zo["o]l.)
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 ({C. erythrophthalmus}) build their
      own nests.

{Cuckoo bee} (Zool.), a bee, parasitic in the larval stage in
   the nests of other bees, feeding either upon their food or
   larvae. They belong to the genera {Nomada}, {Melecta},
   {Epeolus}, and others.

{Cuckoo clock}, a clock so constructed that at the time for
   striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the
   cuckoo.

{Cuckoo dove} (Zo["o]l.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus
   {Macropygia}. Many species inhabit the East Indies.

{Cuckoo fish} (Zo["o]l.), the European red gurnard ({Trigla
   cuculus}). The name probably alludes to the sound that it
   utters.

{Cuckoo falcon} (Zo["o]l.), any falcon of the genus {Baza}.
   The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.

{Cuckoo maid} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- called also {cuckoo
   mate}.

{Cuckoo ray} (Zo["o]l.), 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) (Zo["o]l.) 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.

{Ground cuckoo}, the chaparral cock.