264 CHAPTERS .ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 



ornithology in epochs past has been accountable for no end of 

 unnatural classification, and even at the present time is respon- 

 sible in the schemes of not a few taxonomers for grouping birds 

 together, often otherwise but remotely related. As an example 

 of this in the present family, is the case of the anis (Crotophaga) 

 and the Road-runners (Geococcyx), both considered Cuckoos, and 

 yet utterly different kinds of birds. 



It is probable that the Mangrove cuckoo occurs in this country 

 all along the Gulf coast line from Key West to include Louisiana, 

 being found only in the skirting timber, and never inland. They 

 build a shiftless, flat nest on a horizontal limb, rarely over twelve 

 feet above the ground. The eggs are from three to four; pale 

 green in color, and usually rather larger than those of C. ameri- 

 canus, which they are a good deal like. Contrary to the practice 

 of other members of the genus, this Cuckoo, it is said, does not 

 begin to incubate until she has laid her entire clutch of eggs; 

 and, if setting, will defend these latter, much in the same man- 

 ner as some domestic fowls do that is, flying at the intruder 

 with ruffled plumage and a clucking note. Although almost en- 

 tirely an insectivorous species, it likewise has the reputation of 

 sucking the eggs of other birds. Audubon, when at Key West, 

 constantly mistook this well-marked form, " in the course of his 

 walks, for the common yellow-billed species," and did not ap- 

 preciate the difference until it was pointed out for him by Major 

 Glassel, of the army, who was serving in the fort there at the 

 time. 



Maynard's cuckoo is a rather smaller and lighter colored bird 

 than the Mangrove, and thus far in this country has only been 

 taken upon the Island of Key West. In all respects, so far as at 

 present known, this subspecies closely resembles the two eastern 

 North American forms. 



One of these latter, our Yellow-billed cuckoo, has a wide distri- 

 bution all over the eastern part of the country and southern 

 Canada, breeding in suitable localities over the entire range. It 

 is a retiring, secretive bird, and would be but rarely noticed in 

 the tree-tops were it not for its peculiar, often somewhat pro- 

 longed gutteral and croaking notes. These are frequently heard 

 just prior to the advent of a shower or storm, and hence the 

 species is known in many places as the "Rain-crow." They are 

 very awkward upon the ground, with their weak feet and short 

 legs, so they rarely alight there. In the air, however, their flight 



