296 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



rarely found them sleeping, but on such occasions I have 

 alwa3's observed this peculiarity. Like most of the owls, they 

 are dazed bj^ a strong light, and in the day-time usually- allow 

 a near appi'oach. At evening they become active, and are said 

 to continue so until dawn, particularly on moon-light nights. 

 The}' are never, I believe, quite so gregarious as the Night 

 "Hawks" ver}' often are, though in spring there is often ri- 

 valry between the males, who seem to challenge one another. 

 The Whippoorwills also fl}' much lower, and prefer to Qy near 

 the ground, rather than among the clouds or at any great 

 height. Hence their food must differ considerably from that 

 of their relative. Audubon in speaking of this species sa3"s : 

 " It passes low over the bushes, moves to the right or left, 

 alights on the ground to secure its prey, passes repeatedly and 

 in different directions over the same field, skims along the skirts 

 of the woods, and settles occasional!}^ on the tops of the fence- 

 stakes or on stumps of trees, from whence it sallies, like a FI3'- 

 cateher, after insects,. and, on seizing them, returns to the same 

 spot. When thus situated, it frequently'- alights on the ground, 

 to pick up a beetle. Like the Chuck-will's-widow, it also bal- 

 ances itself in the air, in front of the trunks of trees, or against 

 the side of banks, to discover ants, and other small insects 

 that may be lurking there. Its flight is so light and noiseless, 

 that whilst it is passing within a few feet of a person, the mo- 

 tion of its wings is not heard b}' him, and merely produces a 

 gentle undulation in the air. During all this time, it utters a 

 low murmuring sound, b}' which alone it can be discovered in 

 the dark, when passing within a few yards of one, and which 

 I have often heard when walking or riding through the barrens 

 at night." The young run about much like young partridges. 

 (d). The most characteristic note of these birds is a loud 

 whistle, which resembles more or less distinctly the syllables 

 wliip-poor-idll. It is said to be never repeated, except after 

 dark, and when the birds are perched, as on a fence or roof. It 

 is most commonly heard in June, and is usually preceded b}' a 

 clicks as if produced b}- a snapping of the bill. The other 

 notes of the Whippoorwills arc low, sweet whistles (whit^ whit, 



