204 The Irish Naturalist. 



were the notes of the "Raincrow," but this did not enlighten 

 me much until I shot one of the birds from the upper branches 

 of a tall hickory tree, and picked up what I easilj- recognised 

 to be a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 



The right of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo to a place on the 

 Irish list rests on the occurrence of two examples shot many 

 years ago, in Co. Cork and Co. Dublin. The bird has also 

 occurred four or five times in England, and also in Continental 

 Europe, so that we have an unusual number of instances of 

 this American bird crossing the Atlantic. 



This bird's breeding range is the United States ; it hardly 

 passes north of the Canadian boundary line, and is found from 

 ocean to ocean, though rather scarce west of the Rocky moun- 

 tains. It probably leaves this country altogether in winter, and 

 comes north in the spring after the trees are in full leaf, 

 arriving in this latitude during the first week of May. Like 

 the European Cuckoo, its presence is chiefly known by its note, 

 for the bird is very shy, and manages to conceal itself among 

 the densest foliage of the larger trees ; but wherever there are 

 trees, it is sure to be found, even round farm-houses, or in the 

 city parks, or tree-lined streets. Looking at the stuffed skin in 

 a cabinet, one can hardly believe how inconspicuous the bird 

 is in its native haunts. The long slender build and brown 

 colour make it look like one of the many branches with which 

 it is surrounded, and seen from below, the white breast and 

 spots on the tail feathers become mere glints of sunlight among 

 the foliage. Not infrequentl}^ after the observer has been 

 peering into a tree in search of some nois}^ warbler in the 

 upper branches, a slight movement will betray to him a 

 "Raincrow" close at hand, and the bird will likely remain, 

 with unusual composure for one that can boast of a stature of 

 over twelve inches, and give plenty of time for mutual obser- 

 vation. It is always more secretive than sh}^ ; a proof that it 

 knows its colours are protective. 



The Yellow-billed Cuckoo builds its nest in a bush or low 

 tree ; it is a slight affair of sticks, not well made nor concealed 

 with much art. The eggs are from four to six, rarel}- eight 

 in number, and of a pale greenish-blue. They are usually laid 

 in June, but oviposition is curioush^ irregular, eggs in all 

 stages of incubation, and even young birds in various stages of 

 development, being often found in the same nest. A satisfac- 



