144 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Cuckoo. 



THE Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, 

 Wilson) is an exceedingly rare abnormal autumn migrant 

 to the British Isles. It is a North American species, 

 ranging from Canada to Brazil. In winter it migrates from 

 the northern portions of Canada. This cuckoo can be dis- 

 tinguished from Coccyzus Americanus, being slightly less in 

 size, and showing very little chestnut on the quills. The 

 bill is nearly black ; the orbits, dull scarlet ; and the white 

 tips at the end of the tail are much less conspicuous. 



