Concord, Mass.
1910
June 29
(No 2)
[June 29, 1910]

Unusual abundance of Cuckoos of both species

  The number of Cuckoos present for this season
surpasses anything I have ever noted in former
years. They seem to be increasing as the month goes
by. I see or hear them everywhere I go - from
four to six of each species every day. Apparently
they are evenly distributed over the whole country,
in remote woodlands, river thickets and farm
orchards, instead of being confined to a few
localities only as has nearly always been the
case hitherto. There can be little doubt, I think,
that their unusual abundance is due to that of
the gypsy and brown tail caterpillars although those
of the tent caterpillars are also exceptionally
numerous this year. The Yellow-bills [Yellow-billed Cuckoo] seemed to
be more numerously represented than the Black bills [Black-billed Cuckoo]
early in the season but of late it has been the other way.