OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 11 



Coccygus Americanus, 



The Yellow-hilled Cuckoo is more abundant than the 

 preceding, and is found from Florida to Canada, and from 

 the Atlantic to California. Auduhon found it along the 

 Mississippi River, the upper branches of the Arkansas, and 

 also in upper Canada. Newton found it upon St. Croix Island ; 

 Gosse in Jamaica ; Salvin in Central America ; and Lem- 

 bove in Cuba. Its breeding-quarters certainly extend from 

 Florida and the West Indies to Minnesota, and from Texas 

 to New Brunswick, embracing the interjacent country. Dr. 

 Woodhouse found it quite common in New Mexico, Texas, 

 and in the Indian Territory. In June, 1867, Mr. Ridgway 

 met it on a single occasion in a thicket of willows, and, sub- 

 sequently. in July, along the Truckee River in Nebraska, 

 where it appeared to be exceedingly rare. Wilson traced it 

 north to Lake Ontario, from the Choctaw and Chickasuw 

 nations. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, it cannot be said to be very 

 abundant, although more so than the preceding species. 

 It arrives during the first week of May, sometimes as early 

 as the last week of April. Unlike its cousin, it is less retired 

 and more eminently social ; being seldom found in situations 

 which it delights to visit, but seeming to prefer hedges 

 along public roads, or a solitary pine or apple tree in an 

 orchard or garden. 



The flight of this species is the exact counterpart of the 

 Black-billed Cuckoo. Its general behavior resembles the 

 hitter's so closely, that an inexperienced person would have 

 considerable difficulty in discriminating one from the other, 

 particularly at a distance. 



There is also to be noticed the closest resemblance in the 

 notes of the two species. The same uncouth guttural notes 

 are uttered in the same plaintive tone, and on identical oc- 

 casions. 



The food of these birds is chiefly insects, although the 



