223 
They are possessed of a tropical grace and air that are out of keeping with 
northern climes. This is exhibited in their lithe, sinuous carriage; full, 
round, deep throat; long, graceful tail; and thin but soft and silky plumage. 
They haunt hot and humid jungles of shrubbery, and flit across the open 
spaces with a silent undulating flight that seems in harmony with their 
exotic nature. English literature is rich in references to the Cuckoos, but 
little that is so said is applicable to the Canadian Cuckoo. The latter is not 
an early-arriving species and comes in spring with a quietness that hides 
its presence for some time after arrival. Its notes, too, are entirely 
different from those with which European writers have made us familiar. 
The calls of our birds are less musical but have a charm of their own and 
a wildness and unusual quality in keeping with their natures. The two 
Canadian species are very much alike in their calls; a loud, startling “ Kaow - 
kaow~kaow ” is the most characteristic and one that, on the still summer air, 
can be heard for a quarter of a mile or more. Again they have a “ Kuck - 
kuck-kuck” note like a big clock beating seconds, that has not the range of 
the above but has considerable carrying power. In regard to their parental 
duties, our birds show considerable more realization of responsibility than 
the European. They are slightly parasitic in their habits, that is, they 
occasionally drop their eggs in the nests of other birds and shelve upon them 
the cares of raising their young, but the practice is not common and is 
perhaps only accidental. It may suggest the origin of the parasitic habit 
in other species. The old English word “cuckold” refers to and is based 
upon this habit of the European bird. 
Economic Status. Cuckoos are almost entirely insectivorous, but 
occasionally take small amounts of wild fruit. The great value lies in 
the fact that they show special fondness for certain insects that other 
species rarely touch. Hairy caterpillars which, on account of their bristly 
coatings, are safe from more fastidious birds, are regularly eaten by Cuckoos. 
The interior of a Cuckoo’s stomach will be found lined with a coating of 
spiny caterpillar bristles set in the walls and projecting from them like fur. 
387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Including California Cuckoo). Coccyzus americanus 
L, 12*20. Plate XXXII B. Olive-fawn above; all white below; long tail, with outer 
feathers tipped with white. Curved bill, the 
lower mandible largely yellow. 
Distinctions. To be mistaken only for the 
Black-billed Cuckoo, but too rare in western 
Canada to cause much confusion. It is distin- 
guished, however, by the yellow lower mandible; 
a cinnamon suffusion on the wings, conspicuous 
in flight; tail feathers, except centre ones, mostly 
black, and with large, white tips (Figure 239) . 
Field Marks. The long, flexible outline in 
flight, and general colour, make this species 
recognizable as a Cuckoo. The yellow bill, 
cinnamon wing patches, and tail largely black 
with conspicuous white tips, are best specific 
field marks. In western Canada, only likely to 
be seen in southwestern British Columbia. 
Nesting. A loose structure of sticks, not 
far from the ground, in thickets. 
Figure 239 
Specific details of Yellow-billed Cuckoo; 
head and foot, scale, I; tail, scale, 1$. 
Distribution. Temperate North America, north to just across our border. Absent 
from the Prairie Provinces. Known only in western Canada, from southern British Colum- 
bia, west of the Coast range. 
