BIRDS OF NELSON COUNTY. 39 



Suborder CUCDXIFORMES : Cuculiform Birds. 

 Family ALCEDINID^: Kingfishers. 

 Genus Ceryle. 



126. *CerjrIe alcyon (Linn.). 



Rather common. Not observed in winter, but a few are 

 doubtless to be found here at that season. 



Family CI7CULID2E: Cuckoos. 



Genus Coccyzus. 



127. * Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 



" Rain Crow." 

 A common summer resident ; arrives about May 1st ; de- 

 parts about October 12th. An inhabitant of the densest 

 foliage of the tree-tops, where it is easy enough to hear 

 him, but very difficult to see him. 



128. \Coccyzus erytbropbtbalmus (Wilson). Black-billed 



Cuckoo. " Eain Crow." 

 A rather uncommon summer resident. Similar in habits 

 to the last. As is very well known these two birds get 

 the name of "Rain Crow" from the wide-spread popular 

 belief that their mournful notes are only heard before a 

 rain. Like most signs it signally fails in dry times. 



Order RAPTORES : Birds of Prey. 



Suborder STRIGES: Nocturnal Birds of Prey. 

 Family ALUCONID^ : Barn Owls. 



Genus Aluco. 



129. Aluco Sammeus pratincolus (Bonap.). American Barn 

 Owl. 



