KINGFISHER AND CUCKOOS 171 



reversible steam engines, and keep tightly huddled to- 

 gether until the next exciting rattle is heard. Both par- 

 ents are always on guard to drive off mink, rats, and water 

 snakesi that are the terrors of their nursery. 



The Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos 



Length — 11 to 12 inches. About one fifth longer than the 

 robin. 



Male and Female — Grayish brown above, with bronze 

 tint in feathers. Underneath grayish white. Bill, 

 which is as long as head, arched, acute, and more robust 

 than the black-billed species, and with lower mandible 

 yellow. Wings washed with cinnamon-brown. Tail 

 has outer quills black, conspicuously marked with white 

 thumb-nail spots. Female larger. 



Range — ^North America, from Mexico to Labrador. 

 Most common in temperate climates. Rare on Pacific 

 Slope. 



Migrations — Late April. September. Summer resident. 

 (See plate, page 178.) 



Kak, k-kuk, k-kuk, k-kuk I like an exaggerated tree- 

 toad's rattle, is a soimd that, when first heard, makes you 

 rush out of doors instantly to name the bird. Look for 

 him in the depths of the tall shrubbery or low trees, near 

 running water, if there is any in the neighborhood, and 

 if you are more fortunate than most people, you wiH pres- 

 ently see the yellow-billed cuckoo glide silently among the 

 foliage, and perform some active, gracefxd evolutions 

 there. When seen at a little distance, his large, sHm 

 body, grayish brown, with olive tints above and whitish 



