BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 269 
the middle ones.. The whole lower parts are pure white ; the feathers 
covering the thighs being large, like those of the Hawk tribe; the 
legs and feet are light blue, the toes placed two before and two behind, 
as in the rest of the genus. The bill is long, a little bent, very broad 
at the base, dusky black above, and yellow below; the eye hazel, 
feathered close to the eyelid, which is yellow. The female differs 
little from the male; the four middle tail-feathers in her are of the 
same uniform drab; and the white, with which the others are tipped, 
not so pure as in the male. 
In examining this bird by dissection, the inner membrane of the 
gizzard, which in many other species is so, hard and muscular, in this 
is extremely lax and soft, capable of great distention; and, what is 
remarkable, is covered with a growth of fine down, or hair, of a light 
fawn color. Itis difficult to ascertain the particular purpose which 
nature intends by this excrescence ; perhaps it may serve to shield the 
tender parts from the irritating effects prodyced by the hairs of certain 
caterpillars, some of which are said to be almost equal to the sting of 
a nettle. 
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.—CUCULUS ERYTHROPTHALMA. 
— Fie. 128. 
Peale’s Museum, No. 1854. 
COCCYZUS ERYTHROPTHALMUS. — Bonapanre.* 
Coccyzus erythropthalmus, Bonap. Synop. p. 42.—The Black-billed Cuckoo 
Aud. pl. 32, ‘male and female ; Orn. Biog. i. p. 170. : 
Tus Cuckoo is nearly as numerous as the former, but has hitherto 
escaped the notice of European naturalists; or, from its general 
resemblance, has been confounded with the preceding. Its par- 
ticular markings, however, and some of its habits, sufficiently char- 
acterize it as a distinct species. Its general color above is nearly 
that of the former, inclining more to a pale ash on the cheeks and 
front ; it is about an inch less in length; the tail is of a uniform dark 
silky drab, except at the tip, where each feather is marked with a spot 
of white, bordered above with a slight touch of dull black; the bill 
is wholly black, and much smaller than that of the preceding; and it 
wants the bright cinnamon on the wings. But what constitutes its 
most distinguishing trait is, a bare, wrinkled skin, of a deep red 
color, that surrounds the eye. The female differs little in external 
appearance from the male. 
The Black-billed Cuckoo is particularly fond of the sides of creeks, 
* Wilson, I believe; deserves the credit of distinguishing this species. It is 
closely allied to, but differs widely, both in its habits and feeding, from its conge- 
ners and the true Cuckoos. In addition to shells and water insects, Audubon men- 
tions having found in their stomachs a small black frog, which appears after a 
summer shower. — Ep. e 
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