BIRDS OF OHIO. 



It is well known that the cuckoos are fond of the " 

 caterpillars, and destroy great numbers of them. I have 

 seen one bird disposed of a moderate sized colony of .tent 

 caterpillars at one sitting, in the nesting season. Both 

 cuckoos deserve protection and good treatment for their 

 services in ridding us of many insects which most other 

 : birds will not touch. 



This is the darker of the two species, and in flight the 

 wings show the rufous of the inner vanes of the feathers. 

 The call is on a lower key, is given- slower and is not 

 phrased. It is only after some experience with the cuckoos 

 that one can hope to be certain which species he has afield. 



The migration records are far from satisfactory. They 

 make it appear that the first arrive in the state shortly 

 after the first of May and the last tarry until the third week 

 in September. I have to say, however, that I have repeat- 

 edly found nests with eggs almost ready to hatch the first 

 week in May, thus indicating an early April arrival. 



148. (388.) COCCYZUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (Wils.). 



150. 

 Black-billed Cuckoo. 



Synonyms: Cuculus erythropthalmus. 



Rain Crow, Rain Dove, Chow-chow, Cow-cow. 

 Audubon, Orn. Biog., I, 1831, 170. 



Dr. Wheaton's statement that this cuckoo is a very com- 

 mon summer resident throughout the state is no longer ap- 

 plicable. The reports from observers are nearly uniform in 

 pronouncing it decidedly less common than the preceding 

 species. In habits it is practically the same as the Yellow- 

 billed. The cry is phrased instead of being uttered in a 

 uniform monotone. 



