CAPRIMULGID^ — THE OOATSUCKERS. 407 



white, ami extend across both vanes ; the others less continuous, and yel- 

 lowish-rut'ous beneath as well as above, especially on the inner vane. 



The females are quite similar, but lack the white patch of the tail, have 

 more numerous rufous spots on (juills, and are perhaps more fulvous in 

 general appearance. Young birds, however, would hardly be recognized as 

 the same, except when taken with adults, owing to the predominance uf a 

 pale cinnamon shade above, and a decided tinge of the same on all the 

 white and gray markings. Nearly all the primaries have a liorder of this 

 color. 



The \'ariety acutipennis of South America (see synopsis) is very similar, 

 difiering merely in smaller dimensions. 



Habits. The Texan Night-Hawk occurs in the valley of the Eio Grande 

 from Texas on the east, through New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, 

 and Cape San Lucas. It is found in the northern provinces of Mexico dur- 

 ing the summer months, and thence southward to Central America. It was 

 found at Duefia.s, in Guatemala, liy Mr. Sahin, and also at Coban. Mr. 

 Xantus found it breeding at Cape San Lucas in May. 



This species was first added to our fauna by ilr. Lawrence, in 1851, as a 

 bird of Texas, supposed to be C. hrasilicmtis, and in 1856 described by the 

 same writer as a new sj^ecies. 



According to Dr. Cooper, it makes its first appearance at Fort Mohave by 

 the 17th of April, and soon after becomes quite numerous, hunting in com- 

 panies after sunset, and hiding during the day on the ground under low 

 bushes. By the 25th of May they had all paired, but continued nearly 

 silent, making only a low croaking when approached. They flew in the 

 manner of the common species, but seemed to sail in rather smaller circles. 

 Dr. Cooper found them as far west as the Coast ilouutains. 



Dr. Cones states that this species is commt)n in the Colorado Valley, even 

 farther north than the latitude of Fort Whipple. It was not, however, met 

 with by him at that port, nor indeed for some fifty miles to the south of it, 

 and then only in the summer. He adds that it extends from the Rio 

 Grande Valley westward to the Pacific. It was found alnmdant at Cape 

 St. Liicas by Dr. Xantus. 



Mr. Dresser found it very common at Matamoras duilng the summer sea- 

 son, and thence to San Antonio and to the eastward of that place. At San 

 Antonio, in the spring, he first noticed them on the 2d of May, when he 

 saw seven or eight flying about at noonday. A few days later they had be- 

 come very numerous. They remained about San Antonio until the end of 

 September, and soon after disappeared. He noticed none later than the first 

 week in October. 



IMr. J. H. Clark met with this species at Einggold Barracks, Texas, in 

 June. They were to be seen sitting about in the heat of the day, at which 

 time they could be easily approached. During the hottest days they did not 

 sally forth in quest of food until late in the evening. On one occasion, near 



