Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 



387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo : Coccyzus americanus 



(Linn.) 



^(/»//— Upper parts drab ; wings mostly rufous ; under parts whit- 

 ish; outer tail feathers black and white; upper mandible 

 black; lower one yellow except at tip, which is black. 

 Length — 12.20. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nests vary greatly both in size and construction ; some 

 are little more than a mere platform of sticks, with a leaf or two 

 for lining, while others are fairly large nests, well lined with dry 

 ferns, leaves, catkins, and skeleton leaves; they are always shal- 

 low and ragged. The usual situation is in a small tree, bush, or 

 briar; of the trees I think the oak seems to be preferred, in some 

 localities particularly. 2 to 5 very pale greenish-blue eggs are laid ; 

 they have no polish. Size — 1. 15 x .84. 



That so dainty and trim a bird as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo 

 appears to be should have such a slovenly nest is always a cause 

 of surprise, but that the nest and its surroundings should be kept 

 in such disorder and filth is still more extraordinary. 



The young when hatched are entirely naked. In a few days 

 blue pin-feathers appear ; these remain in their envelopes until 

 the bird is completely covered. The day before the young leave 

 their nest they present a remarkable appearance, more like porcu- 

 pines than birds, as all the pin-feathers are long and sharply 

 pointed ; then comes the transformation, and in twenty-four 

 hours the bird possesses a fine coat of beautiful soft feathers, with 

 no pin-feathers visible ; the tail is then about one inch and a half 

 long. With the exception of the bill, which is blue, the young 

 resemble the parent birds in colour. The period of incubation is 

 about fourteen days. Eggs may be found from early June until 

 about the first week in August. The eggs are in all probability 

 not laid on consecutive days — how long the interval, is somewhat 

 uncertain. 



388. Black-billed Cuckoo: Coccyzus erythrophthalmus 



(Wils.) 



./4^«//— Upper parts drab; tail the same colour, with white tips ; 



under parts pearly white; bill black. Length— 1 1.83. 

 Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



13s 



