_Coccyzus americanus americanus. Case 7, Fig. 1_
Broadly white-tipped tail-feathers, a partly
yellow bill, and largely reddish brown primaries
distinguish this species from its black-billed
cousin. L. 12-1/2, of which one-half is tail.
_Range._ Nests from northern Florida to Canada;
winters in tropical America, returning to the
United States in April.
Washington, common S.R., May 3-Oct. 13. Ossining,
common S.R., May 4-Oct. 31. Cambridge, common
S.R., May 12-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl.
20-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, quite common S.R., May
15-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 21-Aug.
20.
Cuckoos are common birds, but are more often heard than seen. Their
notes are not like those of the cuckoo clock, which exactly imitates the
voice of the European Cuckoo, but a series of _cuck-cuck-cucks_ and
_cow-cows_ repeated a varying number of times. The Cuckoo rarely makes
long flights but slips from one tree to another, seeking at once the
inner branches and avoiding an exposed perch. The nest, a platform of
sticks, thinly covered, is placed in low trees or bushes. The 3-5
greenish blue eggs are laid in May.