koels

["Russ Lamb" <>]

Peter,
        You're quite right, as does Pizzey. Ah, the joys of common names!
          In my opinion,the use  of "brain fever" to describe the call more 
aptly applies to the maniacal finishing segment of the Brush Cuckoo's call. 
And here in SEQ, many non-birders, upon hearing the call of the Koel, refer 
to it as a "stormbird" , a name Pizzey also attributes to Channel-billed 
Cuckoo (along with "flood" and "rain").
       Clear as mud.
Russ Lamb,Maleny,SEQ