BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 333 



The Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, 

 is often ^mistaken for the preceding, from wliich it differs in 

 some of its habits, beside arriving later in the spring. It feeds 

 on insects and birds' eggs, hke the other, but extends its bill of 

 fare to include the small shell-fish found in fresh waters and 

 the small frogs from wet grounds. For this reason it is often 

 found near the edge of water, or on branches bending down- 

 ward to the stream. This species is less timid than the 

 other ; its note is equally unmusical. 



These birds build their nests in the forest, resembling those 

 of the former species, being little more than a flooring of twigs 

 and moss, with a slight hollow in the centre to receive the 

 eggs. These are from three to five, of the same color with 

 the other, but rather smaller. 



The Golden-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus, is a very 

 common bird in our gardens, known when flying at a distance, 

 by the white on the lower part of the back, disclosed by the 

 open wings ; when nearly examined, it is admired for the 

 beauty of its markings. It is driven from the nortliern states 

 in winter by the excessive cold, but in April it is with us 

 again, when its voice resembles a laugh, as if it were rejoicing 

 to be able to return. They are cheerful, animated birds, which 

 do much to give life to our scenery in spring. Their flight is 

 strong and well sustained ; when passing from one tree to an- 

 other, they move in a straight line, till they come near the spot 

 where they mean to alight, when they raise themselves a few 

 feet and cling to the bark of the tree by their claws and their 

 tail, with a nod of the head and a note, from which they are 

 generally called the 'Flicker.' They hop on the ground with 

 ease, in search of food, which consists of insects and various 

 kinds of fruit. In winter, they occasionally supply themselves 

 from the farmer's corn. They are a good deal persecuted by 

 black snakes, which steal their eggs and young ; and also by 

 hawks, from which they escape by darting into a hole in a 

 tree, if any one is at hand, and if not, by alighting on a trunk, 

 and moving round it faster than the enemy can follow. 



