JTo. 2.] HOFFMAN ON THE BIRDS OF NEVADA. 241 



the limits of the State, the general uniformity of the physical characters 

 of the valley aiding greatly in the northward range of the more south- 

 ern forms. 



CUCULID^. 



Geococcyx californianus (Lesson) Baird. — Chaparral Cock; Eoad-runner. 

 I found this bird only in the Colorado Valley in the vicinity of Fort 

 Mojave, where it was not of uncommon frequency. It appeared to resort 

 to the scattering underbrush of the banks, apparently in search of food ; 

 not shy, and could be approached to within 20 or 30 paces. 



CoGcyzus americanus (Linn.) Bp. — ^Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 



Not uncommon in the timbered regions of either the valleys or the 

 mountains. In referring to the peculiar notes of this bird, Dr. Cooper 

 says that on account of it this Cuckoo is known in the East as " Koubird." 

 Dr. Coues, also, in treating the same subject, says that the " syllables 

 koo-koo-koo, indefinitely repeated, are probably uttered more frequently 

 during the atmospheric changes preceding falling weather, and have 

 given rise to the name of ' Eain Crow,' by which both our species are 

 universally known to the vulgar." 



In the woods of Pennsylvania I have frequently heard this bird pro- 

 duce the sound just referred to, and also another, closely resembUng 

 the sound as of hammering upon a pine board, though very distant. 

 This species, as well as erythropMJialmus, is called "Eegafogel" (Eain- 

 bird) by the Pennsylvania Germans, and it is generally believed, even 

 among many of the more intelligent persons, that the utterance of the 

 peculiar notes is indicative of a change of weather. 



STEIGID^. 



Asio americanus (Steph.) Sharpe. — American Long-eared Owl. 



This species may be caUed a very common one, as it occurs through- 

 out the bottom lands amongst the thickets in every favorable locality. 

 First noticed on the 10th of May amongst the willows near Carlin, and 

 at various localities west and south of that place. 



Asio aceipitrinus (Pall.) Newton. — Short-eared Owl. 



Have not found this Owl reported from the northern portions of the 

 State, although it is a more northern species than A. americanus, and 

 a winter visitant, and as it is reported from the Mojave Eiver by Heer- 

 man, it will, no doubt, through future investigations, be found a regular 

 visitor. 



Scojps asio (Linn.) Bp. — Little Screech Owl. 



Eeported from Fort Mojave, where Dr. Cooper obtained one specimen, 

 which differed from a Cahfornia example only in being rather smaller 

 and of a paler gray, adding, " as if its hue was affected by the hot, 



16 GB 



