THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 15 



" Thrice welcome, darling of the spring ! 

 Even yet thou art to me 

 No bird, but an invisible thing, 

 A voice, a mystery." 



The black-billed is the only species found in my 

 locality, the yellow-billed abounds farther south. Their 

 note or call is nearly the same. The former sometimes 

 suggests the voice of a turkey. The call of the latter 

 may be suggested thus : k-k-k-k-kkow, kow, kow-010, 

 kow-ow. 



The yellow-billed will take up his stand in a tree, 

 and explore its branches till he has caught every worm. 

 He sits on a twig, and with a peculiar swaying move- 

 ment of his head examines the surrounding foliage. 

 When he discovers his prey, he leaps upon it in a flut- 

 tering manner. 



In June the black-billed makes a tour through the 

 orchard and garden, regaling himself upon the canker- 

 worms. At this time he is one of the tamest of birds, 

 and will allow you to approach within a few yards 

 of him. I have even come within a few feet of one 

 without seeming to excite his fear or suspicion. He 

 is quite unsophisticated, or else royally indifferent. 



The plumage of the cuckoo is a rich glossy brown, 

 and is unrivaled in beauty by any other neutral tint 

 with which I am acquainted. It is also remarkable for 

 its firmness and fineness. 



Notwithstanding the disparity in size and color, the 

 black-billed species has certain peculiarities that 



