PASSERES — CUCULID.E — COCCYZUS. 195 



of May, when it breeds, and leaves us in the autumn. The eggs are bluish green and un- 

 spotted. It is called Cuckoo, Rain Crow, and Cow-bird. It feeds on hairy caterpillars and 

 large beetles ; also on berries, grapes and occasionally the eggs of other birds. Mr. Giraud 

 has noticed its own peculiar nest, and thinks it does not resemble in its habits its European 

 congener. It ranges from Mexico to Labrador, and to the River Columbia along the shores 

 of the Pacific. It is accidental in Europe. 



THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 



COCCYZUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS. 

 PLATE XIV. FIG. 31. , 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Cuculus erythrophthalmus. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 16, pi. 28, fig. 2. 



Coccyzus id. Vieillot. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 2, pp. 42 and 437. Audubon, fol. pi. 32. 



C. domiiiicus. Nottall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 556. Kirtland, Zool. Ohio, p. 162. Peabody, Mass. Rep. p. 333. 



Erythrophrys id. Sw. Bonaparte, Geog. List, p. 40. Audubon, B. of Am. Vol. 4, p. 330, pi. 276. 



Black-billed Cuckoo. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 183. 



Characteristics. Upper mandible brownish black; lower bluish. Beneath dusky white. 

 A naked red space round the eye. Length, 12 inches. 



Description. Bill scarcely as robust as in the preceding, but similar in shape. Tail 5*5 

 long, extending 3 ' 6 beyond the tips of the closed wings. The third primary longest. 



Color, as in the preceding species. The central tail-feathers of the same color with the 

 back ; the terminal white spots narrow, bordered with dusky. A crimson red bare space 

 around the eye. Under side of the wings soiled drab, with a tinge of the same on the chin 

 and lower tail-coverts. Female, with obsolete dusky bars on the tail, only visible in certain 

 lights. 



Length, 11-5-12-5. Alar extent, 15-0-16-0. 



This species, which is often confounded with the preceding, appears in this State from the 

 South about the same time, or somewhat later. It appears to prefer swamps, the borders of 

 rivers and salt-ponds ; living upon minute shellfish and animals, in addition to fruit, berries, 

 etc. It ranges from Texas to Labrador, and appears to be a resident from Florida south- 

 wardly. It breeds in this State, and leaves us in the autumn. 



(EXTRALIMITAL.) 



C. seniculus. (Aud. B. of Am. Vol. 4, p. 303, pi. 277.) Light greenish brown ; beneath dark 

 brownish orange. Lower mandible yellowish at the base. Tail-feathers tipped with white. 

 Length, 12 inches. Florida Keys. 



25* 



