BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 
131 
37 . COCCYZUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS, BONAPARTE. 
CUCULUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS , WILSON. BLACK-BILLED 
CUCKOO. 
WILSON, PLATE XXVIII. FIG. II. — EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This cuckoo is nearly as numerous as the former, 
but has hitherto escaped the notice of European natu- 
ralists; or, from its general resemblance, has been 
confounded with the preceding. Its particular mark- 
ings, however, and some of its habits, sufficiently 
characterize it as a distinct species. Its general colour 
above is nearly that of the former, inclining more to a 
pale ash on the cheeks and front ; it is about an inch 
less in length ; the tail is of a uniform dark silky drab, 
except at the tip, where each feather is marked with a 
spot of white, bordered above with a slight touch of 
dull black ; the bill is wholly black, and much smaller 
than that of the preceding; and it wants the bright 
cinnamon on the wings. But what constitutes its 
most distinguishing trait is, a bare wrinkled skin, of a 
deep red colour, that surrounds the eye. The female 
differs little in external appearance from the male. 
The black-billed cuckoo is particularly fond of the 
sides of creeks, feeding on small shell fish, snails, &c. 
I have also often found broken pieces of oyster shells in 
its gizzard, which, like that of the other, is covered 
with fine downy hair. 
The nest of this bird is most commonly built in a 
cedar, much in the same manner, and of nearly the 
same materials, as that of the other ; but the eggs are 
smaller, usually four or five in number, and of a rather 
deeper greenish blue. 
This bird is likewise found in the state of Georgia, 
and has not escaped the notice of Mr Abbot, who is 
satisfied of its being a distinct species from the pre- 
ceding. 
