84 
JACULATRICES. 
than the second, the third longest ; tail very long, graduated, 
of ten feathers. 
This genus differs from Cuculus chiefly in having the bill 
more arched, the nostrils narrower, and not margined, and 
the tail of ten instead of twelve feathers. 
38. CoCCYZUS AMERICANUS. YeLLOW-BILLED CoWCOW. 
Bill brownish-black above, yellow beneath ; plumage of the 
upper parts light greyish-brown, the head tinged with grey, of 
the lower parts silvery-white ; tail-feathers, the middle ex- 
cepted, brownish-black, tipped with white. 
Male, 12-J, 16, 5j\, 1, Female, Ilf, 15-J. 
In summer generally distributed over the United States of 
America, whence it retires southward in September. It feeds 
on insects, larvae, berries, grapes, and occasionally eggs. The 
eggs, deposited at different periods, are hatched by the bird 
itself, so that young birds in various stages, and eggs, may be 
found simultaneously in the nest. Two individuals of this 
species have been obtained in England, and two in Ireland. 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Carolina Cuckoo. Cowbird. Rain- 
crow. 
Cuculus americanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 170. — Coccyzus 
americanus, Audub. Synop. 187. — Coccyzus americanus, Yel- 
low-billed Cowcow, Macgillivray, Brit. Birds, 187. 
OEDEE IV. JACULATEICES. DAETEES. 
Bill large, angular, straight or arched, pointed ; upper 
mandible with very short feathered nasal sinuses, the 
ridge narrow, the sides sloping, the edges sharp, without 
notches, the tip acute. Tongue very small, triangular, 
bluntly pointed ; oesophagus very wide, funnel-shaped, 
without crop ; stomach large, round, with the muscular 
coat very thin, the epithelium soft and rugous ; intestine 
of moderate length, very slender ; no coeca ; cloaca globu- 
lar, and large. Eyes and apertures of ears of moderate 
size ; nostrils linear. Feet remarkably small and feeble ; 
