48 PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, 



Cuckoos have, by some inconsiderate people, been stigmatised as 

 destitute of all parental care and affection. Without attempting 

 to account for this remarkable habit of the European species, far 

 less to consider as an error what the wisdom of Heaven has imposed 

 as a duty on the species, it must be remarked that the bird now 

 before us builds its own nest, hatches its own eggs, and rears its 

 own young; and in conjugal and parental affection seems nowise 

 behind any of its neighbours of the grove. Both parents unite in 

 providing food for the young. This consists for the most part of 

 caterpillars, particularly such as infest trees. They are accused, 

 with some justice, of sucking the eggs of other birds, like the Crow, 

 the Blue Jay and other pillagers. They also occassionaly eat 

 various kinds of berries; but from the circumstance of destroying 

 such numbers of very noxious larvae, they prove themselves the 

 friends of the farmer, and are highly deserving of his protection. 

 Breeds on Vancouver Island, near Victoria. Taken at Chilli- 

 whack. 



FAMILY ALCEDINID^E. KINGFISHERS. 

 CERYLE. (Boie). 



Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon, Linn). 



Abundant throughout the Province. Breeds throughout its 

 range. 



ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, Etc. 



FAMILY PICID^. WOODPECKERS. 

 DRYOBATES. ( Boie) . 



Northern Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus Icucomelas, 



Bodd). 



Common on Mainland, east of Cascade Mountains. Taken at 

 Sicamous and Chilliwhack. 



Harris's Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus harisii, Aud). 



A common resident west of coast range, including Vancouver 

 Island. 



Cabanis's Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus liyloscopus, Cab). 

 Okanagan. 



