112 INSESSORES. 



CHAPTER VI. 



INSESSOKES: SYNDAGTYLI. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE NIGHT HAWK WHIP-POOR-WILL 

 CHUCK- WILLS-WIDOW BARN AND CHIMNEY SWALLOWS 

 ANECDOTE BY AUDUBON PURPLE MARTIN EDIBLE SWAL- 

 LOW'S NEST. 



IT is extremely interesting, in the study of Birds, 

 to notice the connection which exists between tribes 

 as well as species. We have spoken of the Hawk 

 Owl as possessing peculiarities of form and habits 

 belonging to two distinct families; we will now no- 

 tice other instances which are no less remarkable in 

 this respect. In the Night Hawk, the Whip-poor- 

 will, and the Chuck-wills-widow, we observe the soft 

 downy plumage and the muffled wings of the Owl, 

 as well as its nocturnal habits, combined in many 

 prominent points with the general structure of the 

 Swallow. The wide mouth, the small sharp bill, 

 slightly hooked, the short legs and small feet, the 

 long sharp wing and wide expanding tail. With the 

 Owls ends the division Raptores, and with the Night 

 Hawk, etc., commences the order of Insessores. 



The habits of the three birds above-named are ex- 

 tremely interesting. With the Night Hawk we are 

 most familiar, as it is quite abundant everywhere, 

 from Maine to South Carolina, and westward to the 



