240 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



times known tu slip au egg into each otliers nests or into that of a 

 different species. The nest they build is of the most temporarj' 

 description, and the eggs are deposited in such a desultory manner 

 that it is no uncommon occurrence to tinfl fresh eggs and voung birds 

 therein at the same time. 



Of the two Cuckoos we have in Ontario, the Yellow-billed seems 

 the more southern, apparently finding its northern limit along our 

 southern Ixuder, where it is rathei' scarce and not generally dis- 

 tributed. 



This species seems partial to orchards and cultivated grounds 

 along the banks of rivers. It is very common about Niagara Falls, 

 though not regularly distributed throughout the countiy. Last 

 summer a pair had their nest and reared their 3'oung within fifty feet 

 of my residence. They were very quiet and retiiing, were seldom 

 seen near the nest except while sitting on it, and only occasionally 

 did we hear the emphatic l,-nn--knic-k<}ii- which icmiiided us of tlieir 

 presence. 



The nest was a Himsy afl'air, ]>laced near the outer end of a 

 horizontal branch of a maple, aliout eight feet fi'om the ground. As 

 soon as the young were able to fly, young and old (lisa])peared, and 

 were not again seen during the season. 



Southern r)ntario seems to be the northern limit of this species. 

 Tt occurs at London, Hamilton, Toronto, but at Ottawa Mr. White 

 has only found it once. To the north of Ottawa i have not Iicard of 

 it beinff ol)sei\t'd. 



COCCYZUS KKYTHROPHTHALiMl'S (Wris). 

 !<;<). Black-billed Cuckoo. ("SS) 



Above, uniform satiny olive-gray, or "(juaker color," with Ijionzy reflec- 

 tions ; l)elow, pure white, sometimes with a faint tawny tinge on the foi-e parts: 

 wings, with little oi' no I'ufous ; lateral feathers not contrasting with the 

 central, their ti])s for a short distance blackish, then obsciii-ely white ; l>iU, 

 l)lackish, except occasionally a trace of yellowish below ; eye-lids, red ; bare 

 circum-ooular s))ace. purplish. Length, 11-12 : wing, .I-.IA : tail. <)-6A ; bill, 

 under I. 



Hau. — Eastern North .\mciica, from Labrador and Manitoba south to the 

 West Indies ami the valley of the Amazon : west to the Rocky .Moimtains. 

 .\coidental in the Rritish Islands and Italy. 



Nest, loosely constiuctcd of twigs, gi-ass. strips of liark, leaves, etc.. i)laced 

 in a bush. 



Kggs, two to five, light gicenish-bhie. 



