BIRDS. 



535 



green coloring-matter in their feathers. In all other birds the green color 

 is produced by the structure of the feathers in much the same way as 

 the color in a pearl, as indicated in an earlier part of this work (p. 79). 

 Here, and here only, a green pigment occurs, and what makes it more 



Fig. 440. — Ivory-billed woodpecker. 



strange is that if these birds wish to preserve their beauty, they must stay 

 in doors when it rains, as the water washes out the color. 



The cuckoos of America are often attributed with traits which do not 

 belong to them, and this arises, not from any intention, but from assigning 

 to them the character of the far more celebrated cuckoo of the Old World. 

 And even that has not escaped. Many are the superstitions that hang 



