242 NIGIIT-HAWK. 



mined on. This is sometimes in an open space in the woods, frequently 

 in a ploughed field, or in the corner of a corn-field. The eggs arc 

 placed on the bare ground ; in all cases on a dry situation, where the 

 color of the leaves, ground, stones or other circumjacent parts of the 

 surface may resemble the general tint of the eggs, and thereby render 

 them less easy to be discovered. The eggs are most commonly two, 

 rather oblong, equally thick at both ends, of a dirty bluish white, and 

 marked with innumerable touches of dark olive brown. To the imme- 

 diate neii^hborhood of this spot the male and female confine themselves, 

 roosting on the high trees adjoining, during the greater part of the day, 

 seldom, however, together, and almost always on separate trees. They 

 also sit lengthwise on the branch, fence or limb on which they roost, 

 and never across, like most other birds ; this seems occasioned by the 

 shortness and slender form of their legs and feet, which are not at all 

 calculated to grasp the branch with sufficient firmness to balance their 

 bodies. 



As soon as incubation commences, the male keeps a most vigilant 

 watch around. He is then more frequently seen playing about in the 

 air over the place, even during the day, mounting by several quick 

 vibrations of the wings, then a few slower, uttering all the while a sharp 

 harsh squeak, till having gained the highest point, he suddenly precipi- 

 tates himself, head foremost, and with great rapidity, down sixty or 

 eighty feet, wheeling up again as suddenly ; at which instant is heard 

 a loud booming sound, very much resembling that produced by blowing 

 strongly into the bung hole of an empty hogshead ; and which is doubt- 

 less produced by the sudden expansion of his capacious mouth, while 

 he passes through the air, as exhibited in the figure on the plate. He 

 again mounts by alternate quick and leisurely motions of the wings, 

 playing about as he ascends, uttering his usual hoarse squeak, till in a 

 few minutes he again dives wdth the same impetuosity and violent sound 

 as before. Some are of opinion that this is done to intimidate man or 

 beast from approaching his nest, and he is particularly observed to re- 

 peat these divings most frequently around those who come near the spot, 

 sweeping down past them, sometimes so near, and so suddenly, as to 

 startle and alarm them. The same individual is, however, often seen 

 performing these manoeuvres over the river, the hill, the meadow and 

 the marsh in the space of a quarter of an hour, and also towards the 

 fall, when he has no nest. This singular habit belongs peculiarly to the 

 male. The female has, indeed, the common hoarse note, and much the 

 same mode of flight ; but never precipitates herself in the manner of 

 the male. During the time she is sitting, she will suffer you to approach 

 within a foot or two before she attempts to stir, and when she does, it is 

 in such a fluttering, tumbling manner, and witli sucli appearance o!" a 

 lame and wnuntlrd bird, as nine times in ten to dec 'ive the person, and 



