55 



are unusual dates. In Southern Indiana they mate soon after their arrival, and 

 throughout June may be found nesting. I have found the nest with eggs at Brook- 

 ville May 20. They are much more numerous in May and at that time may often 

 be seen in numbers— one might almost say docks — about the orchards and lawns, 



Yellow-billcil Cuckoo. 



pursuing a relentless warfare against insects. A few years ago I had my attention 

 attracted to these birds in an interesting way. In the early part of May I observed 

 that the apple trees in my orchard were greatly infested by tent caterpillars. 

 Early one morning I heard the unmistakable note of the Cuckoo. Taking my 

 gun I went to the orchard to obtain a specimen for which I had been waiting. 

 When I approached one of the trees nearest the house I saw a Cuckoo busily en- 

 gaged among some caterpillars' nests. It seemed to be picking up something in 

 its bill and dropping it to the ground. Upon investigation it was found to be 

 picking out the larvse and squeezing the juices from the body between its mandi- 

 bles, then dropping the skins to the ground. The orchard seemed to be alive with 

 these plain colored birds. By noon none were to be found, nor were there any 

 caterpillars left. Every nest had been torn to shreds and the insects were all 

 killed. These birds, of both species, are better known by the hame "Rain Crow " 

 than by any other term. 



146. Coocyzus erythrophthalmus (Wih.). Black-billed Cuckoo. 



Summer resident ; northward as common or more so than the Yellow- billed 

 species; southward it has been more rare, but Prof. Evermann informs me of late 

 years in the lentral-weetern half of the Slate it has been more common than the 

 other form. In the southeastern part of the State it is rare save during the 

 migrations. It breeds throughout the State. The two species of Cuckoos are con- 

 founded by most people. Remarks which are made concerning the benefits of the 

 Yellow-billed Cuckoo apply equally to this. The European Cuckoo is noted for its 

 habit of depositing its eggs in the nests of other birds. Our species have been but 

 very rarely found guilty of so doing. 



