128 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



TROCHILID^E, THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



122. Trochilus colubris, LINN. Ruby-throated 

 Humming-Bird. Common summer resident. Breeds, nest- 

 ing in trees. Arrives about the second week in May ; 

 have seen it as late as the 23d of September. 



123. Argytira maculata, CAB. and HEINE. Lin- 

 nceus's Emerald. A single specimen of this beautiful little 

 bird was captured by Mr. William Brewster, at Cambridge, 

 in August, 1864; it was moulting, and apparently a fe- 

 male. How this little stranger should have come so far 

 from its usual habitat, which is northern South America, 

 is a mystery, and an event unheard of before. It certainly 

 could not have been caged, and in that manner brought 

 here, as it would not survive the passage. 



I have carefully examined into the history of this speci- 

 men, and there seems no reason to doubt its being captured 

 in Cambridge. 



CUCULTD^, THE CUCKOOS. 



124. Coccygus Americanus, BON. Yellow-billed 

 Cuckoo. Irregular in its visits ; during the summer of 1866 

 it was very numerous, while the following species was 

 rare ; since then this has been rare, while the other is 

 common. Arrives from May 18th to 23d. Frequents the 

 woods and orchards. 



125. Coccygus erythrophthalmus, BON. Slack- 

 billed Cuckoo. Rather common. (See remarks under C. 

 Americanus.) Frequents the woods and orchards. "The 

 note of this species is not perhaps as harsh as the other. 

 They are both inveterate destroyers of birds' eggs. They 

 frequently sing at night. Both depart early in September. 



