112 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



This task being over, the female begins the duties of in- 

 cubation, which she exclusively and successfully accomplish- 

 es in about fourteen days. While she is thus occupied, the 

 male is a very faithful and attentive husband, amply provid- 

 ing for her sustenance. 



The young are able to leave the nest in about fifteen da\s 

 from hatching , but usually remain for a brief period longer, 

 when they quit their home, and try their fortunes in tin 

 wide world' around them. They are fed. at first, upon the 

 macerated food of their parents. 



These birds usually retire south during the last of October, 

 often as late as the fifteenth of November; when the season 

 is remarkably propitious, they take up their winter stay 

 with us. 



The eggs are nearly spherical, of a beautiful crystal white. 

 and measure 1.31 of an inch in length and I .06 in width. 



Family Cu.CUlid.86. ( 'uckoos. 



The feet of these birds are /vgodactvle. They constitute 

 an extensive and important family, which embraces main 

 leading forms, corresponding with certain geographical areas 

 of faunal distribution. Two subfamilies are generally held 

 to exist. vi/.. ; ( ucnlhuc or typical cuckoos, of which (. 

 canorns is a good example; ( occvziiuc or American cuc- 

 koos ; Crotophagince or Aids : and Saurotherince or Ground 

 cuckoos. 



Subfamily COGCyzinSB. American Cuckoos. 



In this group, the tail is considerably graduated, slightly 

 longer than the wing, and is composed often soft feathers. 

 Wings short, pointed, the- first and second quills much ab- 

 breviated. Hill equal, shorter than head, short at base, then 

 considerably compressed and curved through entire length 

 to a rather acute tip. Nostrils, basal and elliptical. Feet 

 Comparatively small ; tarsus naked, and equal to toes in 

 length. This subfamily contains four or rive genera 



