OF NEW ENGLAND. 307 



resume their occupation in a less disturbed quarter. They do 

 not attack large fish, but prefer those which are collectively 

 called u small fry." Audubon states that he has seen them 

 plunge into the sea, but the ocean must ordinarily be too rough 

 for them to detect easily the small objects for which they 

 search. They frequently use their nest as a resort, probably 

 making it regularly a retreat for the night. Gosse speaks of 

 these birds as reaching Jamaica u about the beginning of Sep- 

 tember." In speaking of a pair, which he afterwards obtained, 

 he says : " Once both birds seized the same fish, nearly at the 

 same moment, and rising with it into the air, each tugged in 

 contrary directions, until the grasp of one gave way. At last 

 my assistant Sam * * * shot them both. The first was only 

 wounded, and falling into the water swam out sea-ward, strik- 

 ing out boldly, the wings, however, partially opened. On 

 being seized he proved very fierce, erecting the long crest, and 

 endeavoring to strike with his pointed beak. He got hold of 

 my thumb, and squeezed so powerfully, that the cutting edge 

 of the upper mandible sliced a piece of flesh clean out. He 

 was tenacious of life, for though I pressed the trachea until 

 motion ceased, he repeatedly revived." 



(d). The only note of the Belted Kingfisher is loud and 

 harsh, resembling the sound produced by a watchman's rattle. 



24. CuCUlidae. Cuckoos. (See 22, adfinem.) 



I. COCCYGUS 



(A) AMERICANUS. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 



(A summer-resident in Massachusetts, but rather rare.) 



(a). About twelve inches long. Lower mandible, almost 

 entirely yellow. Above, drab, or u quaker " brown (with 

 bronzy reflections). Wings edged with cinnamon. Outer tail- 

 feathers, wholly black and white. Beneath, white. 



(6). The nest is hardly worthy of the name, but is generally 

 a frail structure composed of a few twigs, and placed in a bush 

 or low tree, not far from the ground. I have usually found it 

 in dry places, such as dry woods, bushy pastures, and occa- 

 sionally orchards, or even the "scrub." Near Boston, it is 



