THE AMERICAN YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 



Coccyztis americanus (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 25. 



This species during the breeding season inhabits the temperate parts of North 

 America, and migrates by way of the West Indies and Central America to pass 

 the winter in South America. It has occurred about a dozen times in the British 

 Islands. 



Unlike our common Cuckoo, it makes its own nest and rears its young, 

 although the egg has been found on rare occasions in the nests of other species. 

 The eggs, seldom more than four in number, are pale green in colour. 



Its notes, according to Macgillivray, resemble the word cow, repeated eight or 

 ten times, and the sexes are alike in colour. 



One example of the American Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus 

 (Wilson), has been recorded in our islands, this having been shot at Kilbead, county 

 Antrim, Ireland, about 25th September 187 1. 



As its name implies, this species inhabits North America and Canada, 

 migrating in the autumn to South America. It resembles the species last described 

 in its habits and nidification, but differs in colour, having the bill entirely black, 

 the orbits red, a more decided brown on the back, and is without the chestnut on 

 the primaries. 



II. 



33 



£ 



