BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO 21 



the nests of Sparrows and other small birds, and in 

 spring they are frequently seen following the plough 

 to pick up worms. 



BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO 



Coccyzus melanocoryphus 



Above pale greyish brown ; head cinereous, a black stripe through 

 the eyes ; beneath white, tinged with ochreous ; tail black, tipped 

 with white, the two central feathers like the back; length 11.5 

 inches. Female similar. 



THE Coucottt so called from its note, is the 

 commonest species of the genus in the Argentine 

 Republic, and has an extensive range in South 

 America. In September it migrates south, and a pair 

 or a few individuals re-appear faithfully every spring 

 in every orchard or plantation on the pampas. At 

 intervals its voice is heard amidst the green trees 

 deep, hoarse, and somewhat human-like in sound, 

 the song or call being composed of a series of notes, 

 like the syllables cou-cou-cou t beginning loud and 

 full, and becoming more rapid until at the end they 

 run together. It is a shy bird, conceals itself from 

 prying eyes in the thickest foliage, moves with ease 

 and grace amongst the closest twigs, and feeds 

 principally on large insects and caterpillars, for 

 which it searches amongst the weeds and bushes 

 near the ground. 



The nest is the flimsiest structure imaginable, 

 being composed of a few dry twigs, evidently broken 



