416 NORTH AMEIUCAX BIRDS. 



fallen log. There they deposit two eggs, elliptical in shaj)e. Tlieir young 

 when first hatched, are perfectly helpless, and their safety largely depends 

 upon their great similarity to small pieces of mouldy earth. Tliey grow 

 rapidly, and are soon alile to follow their mother and to partially care for 

 themselves. 



The egg of the Whippoorwill has a strong family resemblance to those 

 of both species of European Vaprimulgi, and is a complete miniature of that 

 of A. carolincnsis. In shape it is oblong and oval, equally obtuse at eitlier 

 end. Eesembling the egg of the Chuck-will's Widow, it is yet more notice- 

 able for tlic purity of its colors and the beauty of their contrast. Tlie ground- 

 color is a clear aud pure shade of cream-white. The whole egg is irregu- 

 larly spotted and marljled with lines and patches of purplish -lavender, 

 mingled with reddish-brown. The former are fainter, and as if partially 

 obscured, the brown usually much more distinct. The eggs measure 1.25 

 inches in length by .88 of an inch in breadth. Wilson's account of its egg 

 is wholly inaccurate. 



In the extreme Southern States these eggs are deposited in April, in 

 Virginia and Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and farther north not 

 rmtil early in June. The young are hatched and able to care for themselves 

 during July, but, with the female, rarely leave the woods. The notes of the 

 male are once more occasionally heard iu August. Mr. Alien has heard 

 tliem late in September, but I have never happened to notice theii- cries 

 later than August. 



Mr. Nuttall states that the young of these birds, at an early age, run about 

 with remarkable celerity, and that they utter, at short intervals a ije'-ugh, 

 in a low mournful tone. Their food appears to consist of various kinds of 

 nocturnal insects, besides ants, grasshoppers, and other kinds not nocturnal, 

 frequenting decaying wood and shady thickets. 



"^^^ 



Left foot of Antrostomus vori/mis. Left foot of Nyctibius jamaieensis. 



