OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 121 



These certainly are very rare instances, and have never been 

 confirmed bv subsequent writers. 



These observations, coupled with others of equal impor- 

 tance which have been recorded, evidently show the close 

 relationship which subsists between our American species 

 of Cuckoos and their not very distant European brother. 

 The Cuculus canorus of Europe is eminently parasitic in 

 its habits, and deposits its eggs in the nest of other birds. 

 If NuttalFs observations should be substantiated by future 

 observers, which we have every reason to believe will be 

 the case when the history of our birds shall be more gener- 

 ally and better known, one important step will have been 

 gained towards proving the community of habit. 



But it seems to us, in view of the well-ascertained fact 

 that both our species rely partly upon the early young to 

 hatch their subsequent deposits of eggs, thus partially 

 shirking a duty which belongs to them, somewhat after the 

 fashion of their trans-Atlantic cousin, no other facts are 

 necessary to show the intimate alliance. 



In the fall, these birds feed upon small beetles, lepidoptera 

 of various kinds, the seeds of grasses, and the berries of 

 Juniperus Virginiana. They retire to their southern 

 homes during the last week of September, or the early part 

 of October. The eggs are less spherical than those of 

 crythrophthalmus, equally obtuse at each end, and of a 

 light greenish-blue color, which, like those of its nearest kin, 

 are quite apt to fade, thus rendering them difficult of distinct- 

 ion. They measure 1.13 inches in length and .91 in width. 



Suborder Pici. Piciform Birds. 

 Family PicidSD. Woodpeckers. 



This family embraces about two hundred and fifty well- 

 determined species, which are found in all parts of the world 

 except Madagascar, Australia, and Polynesia. It is com- 

 monly separated into three divisions which seemingly man- 

 ifest but little diversity, as evidenced by the ivory-bill and 

 10 



