142 
TNSESSORES. 
assigning to it that position. We have several spe- 
cies in the United States, the most abundant bein sr 
the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. This graceful and familiar 
bird, being of somewhat a quiet and retiring dispo- 
sition, frequents the most secluded and thickest part 
of the woods, where its low and simple notes of 
u Cowe, cowe, coo, coo, coo,” may be heard, uttered 
at first slowly, but gradually increasing in rapidity 
until the syllables run together. When it becomes 
more clamorous than usual, it is said to be a sign of 
approaching rain, which in some places has conferred 
Cuckoo. 
upon it the title of Rain Crow. The Cuckoos of 
America, unlike their European relative, invariably 
build their own nests and rear their own young, and 
do not seem to be lacking in the least degree in a 
strong affection for their progeny. The species now 
before us has been accused of sucking the eggs of 
