408 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



El Paso, Mr. Clark saw these birds congregated iu such quantities over a 

 mud-hole froni wjiich were issuing myriads of insects, that lie felt that the 

 discharge among tlieni of mustard-seed shot would involve a wanton destruc- 

 tion. This species is not knowii, according to his account, to make a swoop 

 in the manner of the comniou species. It does not utter the same hoarse 

 sounds, nor does it ever lly so iiigli. 



Among the notes of the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamora?, we find refer- 

 ences to this si)eeies, to which he gives the common name oi Fauraque, and 

 in his collection of eggs are many that unquestionably are those of this 

 bird, and which are, iu all respects but size, in close affinity to the eggs of 

 the common 2v^ight-llawk. These eggs measure 1.18 inches in length by 

 .87 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color, seen througii a magnifying 

 glass, is of clear crystal whiteness, hut is so closely covered by overlaying 

 markings as not to be discernible to the eye. They are marked over the entire 

 surface with small irregular conHuent spots and blotches, which are a blend- 

 ing of black, umber, aud purplish-gray markings. Tliese combinations give 

 to the egg the appearance of a piece of polished marble of a dark gray color. 

 They are lioth suuiUer and of a lighter color than tluxse of the common 

 eastern bird. 



Genus ANTROSTOMUS, (Jqild. 



Anlroslomus, Gould, Icones Avium, 1838. (Type, CaprimuUjus carolinmsis, Gm.) 



Gen. Cii.\k. Bill very small, with tubular nostrils, antl the gape with lon<r, stiff, some- 

 times pectinated bristles [irojecting beyond the end of the bill. Tarsi moderate, partly 



feathered above. Tail broad, rouiid- 

 ^p* \ ed ; wings broad and rounded ; first 

 quill shorter than third ; plumage soft 

 and la.v. Habit nooturnal. 



In what i\w, <^em\s Antrostomits 

 really difl'ers from Cajjrimulgu.'i 

 l)roper, we are quite unable to 

 say, as in the many variations 

 of form of both New and Old 

 World species of these two di 

 visions respectively, it is .said to 

 be not difficult to find species in 

 each, almost identical in form. In the want of suitable material for com- 

 parison, -we shall follow Sclater iu using AiUrustovius for the Xew World 

 species. 



Antrostomtts nuttat'i 



