BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN STATES 301 
tint, tail tipped with white; under parts dull white. Their nest of sticks 
is on low trees or in thick bushes. Our two birds are quite similar in these 
particulars. The points of difference are mentioned under each species. 
387 Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Length 12 inches. 
The call notes are separated by pauses, and 
are more harsh than those of the next species. 
Wings show reddish brown, especially in flight ; 
under mandible is yellow except at the tip; 
there is much black on the tail. M.andS.R. 
388 Black-billed Cuckoo. Length 113 inches. 
The cow, cow, cow, cow is repeated quite 
rapidly. Wings are the same color as the 
back; entire bill is black; no black on the 
tail. Common S.R. 
Kingfisher Family. — Medium sized, soli- 
tary, fish-eating birds found only near the 
water. When mealtime comes they hover over 
the water and on spying a victim make a 
plunge for it and capture it with the bill. YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo 
390 Belted Kingfisher. Length 13 inches. 
A large, conspicuous bird, which beginners often mistake for a Blue 
Jay; but the Kingfisher has a much larger bill, shorter tail, and more 
ruffled crest. Its haunts are the 
shores of wooded streams and 
ponds where it always perches 
near the water to watch for small 
fish and make a dash for it, — 
which the Blue Jay never does. 
It is grayish blue above and white 
below, with a bluish band across 
the breast. Hasa harsh, rattling 
cry that could never pass as a 
song. Nests in a hole ina bank 
like the Bank Swallow; but its 
eggs are laid five or six feet from the entrance, while the Swallow’s are 
only two or three feet in. Common S.R. 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
