CHUCK-WILL'S- WIDOW 149 



bird constitutes one of the finest examples of protective coloration 

 that nature affords. Such dependence is placed in it that the closest 

 approach is possible, and the bird flushes only when nearly trodden 

 on. The mottling of the plumage is exactly like that of the varie- 

 gated background of leaves, sun splashes, and shadow, and one may 

 look directly at the bird without seeing it. Once the bird is flushed, 

 however, it is perfectly easy to see the eggs, for they then stand out 

 like huge pearls against the leaves, not having the similarity to the 

 ground that characterizes the eggs of the nighthawk. 



Mixed oak and pine woods are usually the nesting haunt of the 

 chuck. In the large live-oak groves, which occur over so much of 

 the plantation country of the South, the species is abundant and 

 shows a remarkable tendencj^ to place the eggs in nearly the same 

 spot year after year. As a rule there is little if any undergrowth 

 about the eggs. When under the pines, this would not be expected, 

 and in the oak groves the ground is always covered by a veritable 

 carpet of leaves, through which no undergrowth appears. Thus the 

 eggs can be seen from a considerable distance should the bird be 

 off them. 



On May 8, 1926, I found two eggs on Folly Island, S. C, lying 

 upon pine needles. Marking the spot accurately I returned the 

 next year and on May 12, 1927, found two eggs within 5 feet of 

 the spot used previously. 



M. G. Vaiden (MS.) writes from Rosedale, Miss., that he dis- 

 covered a set of eggs on May 1, 1911. Twelve years later ^ on April 

 27, 1923, he returned to the same locality and found two eggs within 

 10 feet of the same spot ! He states that the "trees were larger, the 

 hillside washed into gullies, but otherwise about as formerly." 



Walter Colvin (MS.), of Arkansas City, Kans., reports the first 

 nesting of the species in that State, two eggs having been found in 

 May 1923, near Arkansas City, Cowley County. Another nest was 

 discovered the following year (1924) also in May. Probably the 

 chuck had been nesting there for some time previous and was also 

 discovered in Miami County, by Mr. Colvin's son John, in 1929. 



Nesting observations from a variety of sources indicate that the 

 chuck raises but one brood. However, if the eggs are taken, the 

 bird will lay again and again until young are hatched. The late 

 Arthur T. Wayne, of Mount Pleasant, S. C, once took in succession 

 three sets from a pair near his home, and a fourth was laid, incubated, 

 and hatched. 



The chuck brooks no tampering with the eggs whatever. If they 

 are handled, or as much as touched in some cases, the bird removes 

 them to what is considered a safer locality. This habit was noted 

 long ago and gave rise to much dispute and speculation as to the 



