73. [888] Cofcijznsrryihrophthalmus (Wils.). Black-billed Cuckoo.* Fig. 11. 



Common summer resident. 'May 12 to Sept. 22. Breeds. May 20, 

 1903, C. G. Littell found a nest and three eggs about eight feet up 

 in a cedar. The nest was a mere platform. 



In 1887 B. W. Eveimann said that this species was apparently more 

 coir.mou than the last. If there is any difference in numbers at present 

 the Black-billed Cuckoo is the more rare of the two species. All rec- 

 ords since 1892 show tli3 same state of affairs. In 1894, E. M. Kindle 

 considered this bird rare and the last common in Brown County. At 

 this place the present species is a much more regular migrant than 

 the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Records of five springs show that it arrived 

 either on the 12th or 13th of May. May 12, 1893, Mr. E. M. Kindle 

 heard them calling as they passed over, and on April 13, 1888, Mr. G. 

 G. Williamson heard the calling of Cuckoos, "Yellow or Black-billed 

 or both." This is much the earliest date that has been recorded for 

 either species within the State. In -all probability the birds heard were 

 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, as they are much more irregular than the Black- 

 billed in the time of their arrival and are always observed earlier. 



MIGRATION RECORD. 



74. [390] Ceryle alcyon (Linn. ). Belted Kingfisher. 



Common summer resident; rare winter resident. March 5 to No- 

 vember 9. Jan. 4, 1893 (E. M. K.). Breeds. The females become numer- 

 ous in spring before the males. 



