THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 



285 



It frequents principally the woods, thickets and orchards, breeding usually in one 

 of the two last named localities. Three or four eggs constitute in this vicinity the 

 normal complement. The breeding season continues commonly from the first of June 

 to the middle of July, but the following exceptional dates have been noted. A nest 

 containing four perfectly fresh eggs was discovered on August 17, 1890; and on Sep- 

 tember 13 of the same year, another nest containing two unincubated eggs was found 

 not over forty feet from the one taken a month before. 



Four nests measure respectively as follows : 



On June 10, 1891, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found dead upon the front porch of a 

 house on the outskirts of Wooster. Appearances indicated that the bird had been 

 killed by flying against the door, as examination revealed the absence of any wound, 

 and dissection showed it to be apparently in healthy condition. 



The peculiar notes of this species are occasionally heard at night. 



74. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (WILS.). 

 Black -billed Cuckoo. 



A transient visitor; sometimes tolerably common in the spring, but apparently 

 rare in autumn. From the fact that this species is so common a summer resident in 

 parts of the State, it may seem strange that it should not be so listed in this locality, 

 but the most careful search has failed to reveal its presence, except from May 9 to 22, 

 and on September 27, 1891. Future investigations may perhaps show it to be present 

 during the breeding season. 



SUBORDER ALCYONES. KINGFISHERS. 

 FAMILY ALCEDINID/E. KINGFISHERS. 



GENUS CERYLE BOIE. 

 SUBGEXUS STREPTOCERYLE BONAPARTE. 



75. Ceryle alcyon (LINN.). 

 Belted Kingfisher. 



A common summer resident ; occurring along all the larger streams. It arrives 

 from the south in March ; remaining until by the freezing of the watercourses in the 



