A long-tailed, green Paroquet with a yellow head, orange forehead and cheeks. L. 12½.
Range. Formerly southeastern United States north to Virginia, west to Nebraska and Texas; now southern Florida where it is on the verge of extinction, if not extinct.
Washington, extinct, known only from specimens shot in Sept., 1865.
The Paroquet has paid the penalty of wearing bright plumes, of making a desirable cage-bird, of being destructive to fruit, and of having little fear of man. Once abundant and wide-spread, for nearly the past half a century it has been restricted to Florida, where the species will soon go out of existence, if it has not already done so. Its nesting habits are unknown.
CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. ORDER COCCYGES
CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. FAMILY CUCULIDÆ
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO
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. 12½, of which one-half is tail.