CALIFORNIA CUCKOO.
387a. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis. 13 inches.
This bird is the same as the eastern variety, except being a little larger and the bill more stout. It may be distinguished by its blackish, long tail, tipped with white, and its yellow under-bill. Reddish brown patch on the wings.
Nest.—Is made of twigs loosely put together, and lined with grass, or shreds of grape vine bark. The nests are generally very shabbily built and so nearly flat on top that the eggs will frequently roll out. They are located near the ground in low bushes or trees; three or four eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker this bird will continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest by this means. Eggs are a pale greenish blue (1.20 × .90).