110 BIRDS OF OHIO. 
It is well known that the cuckoos are fond of the “hairy” 
caterpillars, and destroy great numbers of them. I have 
seen one bird disposed of a moderate sized colony of tent 
caterpillars at one sitting, in the nesting season. Both 
cuckoos deserve protection and good treatment for their 
services in ridding us of many insects which most other 
birds will not touch. . 
This is the darker of the two species, and in flight the 
wings show the rufous of the inner vanes of the feathers. 
The call is on a lower key, is given slower and is not 
phrased. It is only after some experience with the cuckoos 
that one can hope to be certain which species he has afield. 
The migration records are far from satisfactory. They 
make it appear that the first arrive in the state shortly 
after the first of May and the last tarry until the third week 
in September. I have to say, however, that I have repeat- 
edly found nests with eggs almost ready to hatch the first 
week in May, thus indicating an early April arrival. 
148. (388.) CoccyzUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (Wils.). 
150. 
Black-billed Cuckoo. 
Synonyms: Cuculus erythropthalmus. 
Rain Crow, Rain Dove, Chow-chow, Cow-cow. 
Audubon, Orn. Biog., I, 1831, 170. 
Dr. Wheaton’s statement that this cuckoo is a very com- 
mon summer resident throughout the state is no longer ap- 
plicable. The reports from observers are nearly uniform in 
pronouncing it decidedly less common than the preceding 
species. In habits it is practically the same as the Yellow- 
billed. The cry is phrased instead of being uttered in a 
uniform monotone. 
