272 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



The Cuckoos are mostly insectivorous in diet, and a favorite 

 food seems to be the "tent caterpillars," which so commonly 

 infest shade and fruit trees. 



174. (388). Coccyztis erythrophthalmus (Wils.). Black-billed 

 Cuckoo. 

 The Black-billed Cuckoo is also a summer resident in Iowa. 

 In some localities it appears to be less common than the Yellow- 

 billed, while in other localities it is more abundant. Their habits 

 are almost identical. The Black-billed Cuckoo seems to nest a 

 little earlier in the season — from May to August. On May 25, 

 1 89 1, I found a nest containing one ^Z%> "^"^^ ^^^ next day found 

 it to contain four fresh eggs. The bird was on the nest on both 

 occasions. June 27, 1892, found one nest containing three eggs; 

 June 27, 1893, o"^ nsst containing a young bird nearl)' able to fly, 

 the other contained one young bird, one ^g% that appeared to be 

 nearly fresh, and another ^'g'g somewhat larger and paler (appar- 

 ently a Yellow-billed Cuckoo's). July 2, 1893, found a nest con- 

 taining one ^%z^ about two feet from the ground, in a wild willow 

 near a creek; July 7, this nest contained five eggs. All were ob- 

 served around Forest City, Winnebago county. Both species of 

 the Cuckoos are frequently heard in shade trees in cities, but are 

 not very easy to observe, as they keep in the higher branches. 



Suborder ALCYONES. Kingfishers. 

 Family ALCEDINID^. Kingfishers. 



The single species of Kingfisher which is found in Iowa, is very 

 familiar along the banks of streams and ponds, where its favorite 

 perch is on some limb overhanging the waler, from which it 

 plunges into the water after small fishes, crawfish, etc. Its note 

 is a harsh rattle which is often repeated. 



Genus Ceryle Boie. 

 Subgenus Streptoceryle Bonaparte. 



175- (390)- Ceryle alcy on {IJvwn.). Belted Kingfisher. 



The Belted Kingfisher is a common summer resident along the 

 streams in all parts of the state, arriving early in March and 

 remaining until the rivers and creeks freeze over — usually in 

 November. It was observed once in Winneshiek county, January 



