Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.
Lake Umbagog, Maine.
1838. In alders I saw two Black-billed Cuckoos one on the
Sept.6. White farm, the other on Upton hill. One was silent, the
other attracted my attention by a low guttural wor-r-roo which
he uttered many times in succession.
1905 Coccyzus erythrophthalmus Bethel,
Maine.
July 18-
In the woods near Dr. Lebrins
house I saw something very odd this
morning. A Black-billed Cuckoo feeding
from the upper branches of an ash tree
two or three feet above the ground
only indulging in the act of copulation.
After some time, the male bird (on the upper one at least)
removed on its mate for at least four
or five minutes, occasionally making
slight movements which indicated that
the sex was not very far apart. I became tired
of waiting and went towards them where they were sitting
a few yards off and presently gently
put my hand upon it. I got another
on the ground near by. It was an adult
cuckoo in good condition. As I do not recall
any other such a sight, I thought it worth recording.
74