Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 
887. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: Coccyzus americanus 
(Linn.) 
Adult—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 | 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.) 
Adult—Upper parts drab; tail the same colour, with white tips ; 
under parts pearly white; bill black. Length—11.83. 
Breeding Range—Throughout the Eastern States. 
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