THE WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. 



409 



nunilters to a gi\-eii syjut. I have seen scores at a time winging nniselessh' to 

 and fro over the tran(|nil waters of Brciok Lake, and once 1 saw a ciinii>anv 

 of not less than two hundred executing a grand march with bewildering 

 evolutions, in a Vakima pasture. The date in the last-mentioned instance 

 was August JOth. and it is more likely that the birds had discovered some 

 notable e\'ent in the insect world, tlian that they themseh'es were preparing 



The eggs of the Nightluuvk are hea\ily nit.ittled with slat}- and other 

 tints, wdiich render them practicallv in\isible to the searching e\e. e\'en tho 

 they rest upon the bare ground or. as (jftener. upon an exposed lava ledge. 

 Except during the \-ery warmest hours ( when the sun's rays might addle 

 them) and the coolest (when thev might becoiue chilled), the sitting bird 

 is likely to rest beside her eggs instead of on theiu. The young birds when 

 hatched place great reliance upnn their ])r(itective coloration, and even permit 

 the fondling of the liand rather than c<infess the defect of their fancied 



^i:\ 



Token '.war Spokane. 



Telcl>hoto by IV . H. U'right. 



WESTEKN NIC.HTHAWK AT MIBDAY. 



security. The old bird, meanwhile lias fluttered away over tlie ground with 

 uncertain wing and drooping tail to drop at last on the \ery point of death. 

 Or failing in this ruse, she is charging about in mid air with plaintive cries. 

 Look upon the babies fur tlie last time, for they will be sjjirited away before 

 your return. — borne uff. it is said, between the thighs of the parent liird. 



