BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 5 



BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. {Cuculus erythropthahna) 



PLATE XXVIII.— Fig. 2. 



PeaWs Museum, No. 1854. 



COCCYZUS ERYTHROPTHALMUS.— Bonaparte.* 



Coccyzus erythropthalmus, Bonap. Synop. p. 42.— The Black-billed Cuckoo, 

 Aud. pi. 32, male and female ; Orn. Biog. i. p. 170. 



This 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 pre- 

 ceding. Its particular markings, however, and some of its 

 habits, sufficiently characterise it as a distinct species. Its 

 general colour 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 colour, 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, feeding on small shell fish, snails, &c. I have also 

 often found broken pieces of oyster shells in its gizzard, which, 

 like that of the other, is covered with fine downy hair. 



The nest of this bird is most commonly built in a cedar, 

 much in the same manner, and of nearly the same materials, as 



* 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 congeners and the true cuckoos. In addition to shells and water 

 insects, Audubon mentions having found in their stomachs a small black 

 frog, which appears after a summer shower. — Ed. 



