108 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



that I have known it to leave for the sunny south as early as the 

 10th of September. 



Family CUCULID^E. 



Subfamily Coccyzin^. 

 Coccyzus Americanus. 



This species, a very common resident during the warm season, 

 arrives from the south during the latter part of April, and retires 

 to its genial warmth early in the fall, frequently as early as the 

 first of October. In this neighborhood the nest is usually con- 

 structed between the forked branches of Madura aurantiaca, at 

 an elevation of about ten feet from the ground. It is composed 

 externally of small sticks and rude grasses, and lined internalh' 

 with fine grasses. The male bird scarcely forsakes his mate during 

 incubation, save to provide himself and her with food. When not 

 thus engaged, he perches upon a limb of the same tree, within a 

 short distance of the nest, ever watchful of her, and apparently 

 ready to administer to her slightest calls. Feelings of the tender- 

 est sympathy and the most devoted affection are mutually ex- 

 hibited. It is not shy and timid in disposition, but shows con- 

 fidence in man hy building close to his domains. In tlie spring 

 of 1872, from mj^ school window I could command a view of a 

 nest of this species, and obsjprve the minutest details of its every- 

 day life. My pupils frequently in their plays would pass under- 

 neath the tree, while the birds were engaged in building, but so 

 intent were they upon their work that the}' heeded not their 

 presence. The nest was completed, eggs were deposited and 

 hatched, and the young matured ; the parent birds evidentl}' feel- 

 ing as secure as in more sequestered situations. Such friendship 

 as is here displayed should strike a sympathetic cord in the bosom 

 of relentless man, and induce him to throw around such unsus- 

 pecting creatures the ajgis of his protection. The period of incu- 

 bation is fourteen daj's. When the female is with young, the duty 

 of feeding devolves upon the male, who, with the instincts of a 

 faithful husband and father, administers with alacrity to their 

 physical wants. 



