224 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies are recognized. The Eastern Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo coccyzus americanus americanus occurs west to Minnesota, and may some day 
straggle north into southeastern Manitoba. The California Cuckoo coccyzus americanus 
ocddentalis is the western form from Lower California, northward. In the south it 
extends east to Colorado, but in the north it is confined to the coast districts, and only 
enters Canada in southern Vancouver island, and the adjoining mainland west of the 
Coast range. 
388. Black-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. L, 11*85. Plate XXXII B. 
Olive-fawn above, all white below, long tail, outer feathers only slightly tipped with white. 
A slightly curved black bill. 
Distinctions. To be mistaken only for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but in western 
Canada normally too far removed from it in range to allow of much confusion. It is 
distinguished from that species by all-black bill, practically an evenly coloured wing, black 
on tail only in faint subterminal bar, and the white tail-tips reduced to thumb marks. 
Field Marks. The long, flexible outline in flight and general colour make this species 
recognizable as a Cuckoo. The black bill, lack of conspicuous cinnamon patches on wing 
in flight, and tail the same colour as the back, and with only small white tips, are the best 
specific field marks. The presence of Cuckoos in the neighbourhood will always be known by 
their characteristic notes, especially a slow, measured ' ‘ kuck-kuck-kuck ’ ’ , etc., and the 
bird is more often heard than seen. 
Nesting. A loose structure of sticks near the ground, in thickets. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, west in the southern parts of 
Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and perhaps adjoining Alberta. Slightly more northern in 
its range than the Yellow-billed. 
SUBORDER— ALCYONES. KINGFISHERS 
The Kingfishers form a well-marked group represented in nearly all 
parts of the world. Though evidently adapted to catching fish some have 
given up their ancestral habits and watery habitats to live in the woods 
on insects and earthworms. However, all these departures from type are 
extralimital and mostly tropical; the well-known Laughing Jackass of 
Australia is a large aberrant Kingfisher. The North American Kingfishers 
are all included under one family Alcedinidae. 
FAMILY — ALCEDINIDAE. KINGFISHERS 
As there is only one species of the family in Canada, the description 
given under the species will serve for the family. 
390. Belted Kingfisher (Including Northwest Coast Kingfisher). Ceryle alcyon. 
L, 13 *02. Plate XXXIII A. 
Distinctions . The great ragged crest and slaty blue back of the Kingfisher cannot be 
very well confused with any other American bird. The weak feet, three toes in front, 
the two outer (Figure 240) joined for half their length, 
and the peculiar clumsy grasping surfaces are diagnostic 
of the Kingfishers. 
Field Marks. The ragged crest and large head, 
general coloration, a habit of sitting motionless on a perch 
overhanging the water or diving into it with a splash, and 
its harsh, rattling cry make the Kingfisher easily recog- 
nizable in life. 
Nesting. Usually on the ground at end of a tunnel 
driven in the face of an exposed earth bank. 
Distribution. All North America, breeding wherever found in Canada. 
Jy 
Figure 240 
Foot of Kingfisher; natural size. 
SUBSPECIES. The Belted Kingfisher is divided into two subspecies by present 
authorities. The Eastern Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon alcyon ranges across most of 
the continent. The Northwest Coast Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon caurina, with a range as 
suggested by name, is described as having wings of a slightly different proportion, but the 
difference is slight, and it is not clear how far inland this form extends. 
