BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA—DOWNS. 161 
London News, was so struck with the appearance of this owl 
that I had her photographed in order to present him with a 
copy. 
Genus NycTEA Stephens. 
136. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.) (376). Snowy Own. 
Some years plentiful, but generally scarce. Winter visitor. 
This bird hunts by day and is extremely fond of sea ducks. Mr, 
Bayers found their flesh of a fishy flavour and very distasteful. 
One of these birds in confinement would swallow a one-month- 
old kitten whole, head foremost. Sable Island, since 1827, has 
been regularly visited by this owl, which is drawn thither by 
the tempting food presented in the rabbits which were intro- 
duced about that time. 
Genus SuRNIA Dumeril. 
187. Surnia ulula caparoch (Vull.) (377 a). American Hawk 
OwL. 
Now become very rare. Winter. 
ORDER COCCYGES. Cuckoos, Etc. 
Suborder CucuLt. Cuckoos, Ete. 
Famity CUCULIDA. Cuckoos, Anis, ETc. 
Subfamily Coccycinz. American Cuckoos. 
Genus Coccyzus Vieillot. 
138. Coccyzus americanus (Zinmn.) (387). YELLow- BILLED 
Cuckoo. 
Very rare. One of these birds I recently mounted for Lord 
Russel, and Mr. Egan obtained the nest in Cunard’s grounds. 
This is the only record of its having been taken in Nova Scotia. 
139. Coceyzus erythrophthalmus (Ws.) (888). Brack- 
BILLED Cuckoo. 
Not very common. Summer. The Cuckoo builds its nest in 
a careless and slovenly manner. Its note is said to be usually 
heard before rain, which circumstance has given rise to the 
name by which it is known to many of the country people— 
“the Rain-crow.” 
