cuckow. 317 



Is called, in Georgia, the Rain Cuckow, or Crow, from its note 

 being supposed to forebode rain ; but as some others are also called 

 by this name, we cannot be positive how far such may be related. 

 I have received a specimen of this bird from Jamaica ; it has a note 

 somewhat like the word Cowe, often repeated, hence by some is 

 called the Cow Bird. 



75— BLACK-BILLED CUCKOW. 



Cuculus erj'thropthalmus, Black-billed Cuckow, Amer. Orn. iv. pi. 28. f. 2. 



THIS is smaller than the Carolina Cuckow, and one inch shorter 

 in length. The bill wholly black, and smaller; a bare, wrinkled, 

 deep red, skin surrounds the eye ; in colour, the bird is greatly 

 similar to the Carolina Species, but wants the bright cinnamon-colour 

 on the wings; the tail of an uniform, dark, silky, drab-colour, but at 

 the tip of each feather is a white spot, bordered above with a slight 

 touch of dull black. The female not unlike the male. 



Inhabits the same places as the Carolina Cuckow, and has been 

 in general confounded with it, but is probably distinct ; it is nearly 

 as numerous, and feeds on small shell fish, snails, &c. as broken 

 pieces of oyster, and other shells, have been found in the gizzard, 

 which, as well as in the Carolina one, is covered with hair on the 

 inside ; it makes the nest commonly on a cedar, of the same form as 

 the other ; the eggs are smaller, four or five in number, and of a 

 deeper greenish blue : found also in Georgia, and Mr. Abbot seems 

 assured that it is a distinct species. 



