84 JACULATRICES. 



than the second, the third longest ; tail very long, graduated, 

 of ten feathers. 



This genus differs from Cuculus chiefly in having the bill 

 more arched, the nostrils narrower, and not margined, and 

 the tail of ten instead of twelve feathers. 



38. COCCYZUS AMERICANUS. YELLOW-BILLED CoWCOW. 



Bill brownish-black above, yellow beneath ; plumage of the 

 upper parts light greyish-brown, the head tinged with grey, of 

 the lower parts silvery-white ; tail-feathers, the middle ex- 

 cepted, brownish-black, tipped with white. 



Male, 12i, 16, 5 T 8 ^, },_!, ? T , T V Female, llf, 15j. 



In summer generally distributed over the United States of 

 America, whence it retires southward in September. It feeds 

 on insects, larvae, berries, grapes, and occasionally eggs. The 

 eggs, deposited at different periods, are hatched by the bird 

 itself, so that young birds in various stages, and eggs, may be 

 found simultaneously in the nest. Two individuals of this 

 species have been obtained in England, and two in Ireland. 



Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Carolina Cuckoo. Cowbird. Rain- 

 crow. 



Cuculus americanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 170. Coccyzus 

 americanus, Audub. Synop. 187. Coccyzus americanus, Yel- 

 low-billed Cowcow, Macgillivray, Brit. Birds, 187. 



ORDER IV. JACULATRICES. DARTERS. 



Bill large, angular, straight or arched, pointed ; upper 

 mandible with very short feathered nasal sinuses, the 

 ridge narrow, the sides sloping, the edges sharp, without 

 notches, the tip acute. Tongue very small, triangular, 

 bluntly pointed ; oesophagus very wide, funnel-shaped, 

 without crop ; stomach large, round, with the muscular 

 coat very thin, the epithelium soft and rugous ; intestine 

 of moderate length, very slender ; no cceca ; cloaca globu- 

 lar, and large. Eyes and apertures of ears of moderate 

 size ; nostrils linear. Feet remarkably small and feeble ; 



