YELLOW-BILLED COWCOW. 139 



ment ; the cloaca oblong. The digestive organs are thus in 

 all respects precisely similar to those of the European Grey 

 Cuckoo. 



Length to end of tail llf inches ; to end of wings 9 ; extent 

 of wings log ; wing from flexure 5j% ; tail 5j\. 



Habits. — The Yellow-billed Cowcow is distributed over the 

 United States of America from Texas to Nova Scotia, and ex- 

 tends into the interior as far as the Rocky Mountains. It breeds 

 in all these districts, which it visits from March to May, re- 

 tiring about the middle of autumn, although some remain in 

 Florida through the winter. Its habits have been described 

 by Wilson, and Mr Audubon ; but in the works of the latter 

 observer are found many particulars relative to its manners and 

 organization not contained in that of the former. To him 

 therefore I have recourse for the following condensed notice 

 respecting it. Moving with a rapid and silent flight from one 

 place to another, it wends its way with ease among the bran- 

 ches, occasionally inclining its body to either side. When 

 migrating southward, it flies high, in loose flocks, but arrives 

 singly in spring, the males preceding the females. Its notes 

 resemble the word cote, repeated eight or ten times, whence its 

 name of Cowcow or Cowbird. It feeds on insects and larvse, 

 occasionally on eggs of small birds ; and, in its turn, often falls 

 a prey to the Pigeon Hawk. Berries of many kinds, as well 

 as grapes, aftbrd an abundant supply of food in autumn. On 

 the ground " they are extremely awkward at walking, and 

 move in an ambling manner, or leap along sidewise, for which 

 the shortness of their legs is ample excuse."" The nest is flat, 

 formed of sticks and grass, and placed on a horizontal branch, 

 often not far above the ground. The eggs, four or five, are 

 bright green, and of an elongated oval form. 



In June 1837, Mr Audubon visited at Charleston, the 

 grounds of Mr Rhett, to examine a nest of this species, in which 

 were found two young birds nearly able to fly, which scrambled 

 off" among the branches, but were caught ; three others, all of 

 diiFerent sizes, one apparently just hatched, another probably 

 several days old, the third, covered with pin-feathers ; lastly, 



