SONGLESS BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WUODLAND. 263 
economic importance, however, to receive more than this 
brief mention here. The Cuckoos, on the other hand, are 
particularly useful. They have the reputation of laying their 
egos in other birds’ nests. This is true of the European 
Cuckoo, which seems to be unable to complete her clutch 
of eggs rapidly enough to incubate them in one batch; 
therefore she leaves them to be hatched in the nests of other 
birds. This is rarely true, however, of the American spe- 
cies, which ordinarily build their-own nests and hatch their 
own eggs. Audubon and Nuttall accused Cuckoos of rob- 
bing the nests of other birds, but there is little recent evi- 
dence of this habit. Like Woodpeckers, Cuckoos have the 
fourth toe reversed ; but apparently the reversion of this toe 
does not now assist them in climbing, even if it ever did, 
for they do not climb like the Woodpeckers. They are 
long, slender, rather shy, modestly colored, and sedentary 
birds, which sit secluded among the leaves, and are heard 
more than they are seen. 
Black-billed Cuckoo. Rain Crow. 
Coceyzus erythrophthalmus. 
Length. — Nearly twelve inches. 
Aduit. — Above, olive-brown and gray, with lustrous bronzy reflections; below, 
white; bill black; small white tips to all but the two central tail feathers. 
Nest. — Sticks loosely put together in a bush, vine, or low tree. 
Eggs.— Greenish-blue. 
Season. — May to September. 
The Black-billed Cuckoo is common throughout most of 
the State. It seeks the bushy borders of streams, ponds, 
low woodlands, and swamps. It inhabits the glades of de- 
ciduous woods, and sometimes nests in thickets, but often 
visits orchards and fruit gardens. It is a bird of the trees 
and shrubbery, rarely leaving the leafy shades except to feed 
where caterpillars have defoliated the trees. Although some- 
what sedentary, it flies rapidly and gracefully, but usually 
at no great height. Upon alighting in a bush or a tree it 
generally chooses a sheltered or hidden position, and, relying 
perhaps upon its close resemblance to the color of the foliage, 
it often may be closely approached. 
Its notes vary much, but consist commonly of the syllable 
