SONGLESS BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 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 

 eggs 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. 



Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. 



Length. — Nearly twelve inches. 



Adult. — 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 sjdlable 



