Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
, “seamew”). ” The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) feeds on reptiles and large insects. It is found in Asia and Africa as well as in Europe. It only passes the winter in Palestine.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(Leviticus 11:16; 14:15) the name of some of the larger petrels which abound in the east of the Mediterranean.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CUCK'OO. Lev 11:16. Doubtless a mistranslation. It is thought most probable that "the slender bird" here referred to may have been a species of shearwater (Puffins), several kinds of which are common on the coast of Palestine, are sold in the markets of maritime towns, and, as living on fish, would be forbidden food to the Jews.