22 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA. 



Geog. Dist. Temperate eastern North America. 



W. Va. Dist. Abundant in many localities. Often heard about 

 towns as well as in lonely country places. 



Nest Generally in a hollow tree. Often breeds in West Vir- 

 ginia, 



Food Feeds on mice, insects, and small birds. About towns 

 they are said to destroy great numbers of English Sparrows. 



375. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). One Adult. Read- 

 ily identified by its size and the very large ear-tufts. 



Geog. Dist, From Labrador to Costa Rica, in eastern North 

 America, 



W. Va, Dist. Rather common in our state. 



Nest Often in an old hawk's, crow's, or squirrel's nest. 



Food Of 127 stomachs examined by Dr. A. K. Fisher, only 31 

 contained poultry or game birds; 78 contained small mammals of 

 various kinds. 

 t 



387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). One speci- 

 men. Sexes alike. Note very carefully the color of the bill in the 

 two species of cuckoos. 



Geog. Dist. Eastern temperate North America. 

 W. Va. Dist. Rather common in most parts of this state. 

 Nest Rev. W. E. Hill found this species breeding at Fairview, 

 West Virginia, in June, 1883. 



Food Tent caterpillars and other insects. 



388. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus}. One 

 specimen. Adult. 



Geog. Dist. Eastern North America, 



W. Va. Dist. J. Warren Jacobs in his pamphlet entitled "Sum- 

 mer Birds of Monongalia County, West Virginia" says that h^ 

 found this species in abundance in Monongalia County on May 31 r 

 1895. Common in all parts of the state. 



Nest Often builds its nest in apple trees. Our American cuckoos 

 are not dependent upon other birds to hatch their eggs and to care- 

 for their young as is the European Cuckoo. 



Food Caterpillars and other insects,. 



390. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). Two specimens, male 

 and female. Notice the rufous coloring on the sides and on the 

 belly of the female. 



