PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 145 



the wholly uaketl tarsi, the white patch across the primariesj which are 

 also destitute of ochraceous spots, by the much longer aud diftereiitly 

 marked tail aud other features. It is, in fact, a far handsomer bird, and, 

 not excepting even the '-'■Antrostomus''^ nutialH, is by far the most beau- 

 tiful of the Caprimulgidcc which occur in the United States. It is a species 

 of very wide distribution, its range comprising the whole of the inter- 

 tropical portions of America on both sides of the equator, with the ex- 

 ception of the "West India Islands, from none of which it has thus far 

 been recorded. It is subject to considerable variations of color, which' 

 have given rise to a number of synonyms, as may be seen by reference 

 to the citations giveu above, but the variations seem to be of an individual 

 and sexual nature, rather than geographical. — R. R. 



This interesting addition to the avifauna of the United States proves 

 to be a rather common summer visitor, arriving early in March, at least 

 a month before any others of the family, and remaining as late, at least, 

 as 1^'ovember 16, on which date I have taken two specimens. My first 

 specimen was shot on the 1st of April, 187G, and its capture noted in 

 the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, vol. i, p. 88. Since that 

 time, I have taken quite a number of specimens, and found several sets 

 of eggs. The habits and eggs of this species, in addition to its anatomi- 

 cal characters, show its affinity with the Whip-poor-wills rather than 

 the Nighthawks. It frequents shady thickets and copses (where these 

 can be found), aud when flushed dodges rapidly and silently among the 

 bushes, but soon alights, only to repeat the short flight when again ap- 

 proached. The eggs are deposited in such a situation, usually at the foot 

 of a bush; the parent, when started from her eggs, makes no attempt to 

 decoy one away, but flying a few yards alights to watch the intruder, 

 frequently raising herself on her legs and nodding in a curious manner, 

 uttering at the same time a low, whining sound. Their notes are among 

 the most characteristic night sounds of the Lower Rio Grande, aud are ^ 

 constantly heard at evening during the summer montlis. They consist 

 of a repeated whistle resembling the syllables whew-wheic-ichew-rvhew- 

 iche-ee-e-ew^ much stress being laid upon the last, which is prolonged. 

 The whole is soft and mellow, yei can be heard at a great distance. 

 The preliminary whews vary somewhat in number, and late in the season 

 are often omitted altogether. The eggs are a rich creamy-bufl" color, 

 sparingly marked with a deeper shade of the same and with lilac. 



Specimens average 1.25 by .92 inches. 



On the 15th of May, 1876, 1 found a set of eggs near camp at Hidalgo, 

 and on returning in about fifteen minutes to secure the parent, who had 

 disappeared among the thickets, I found that she had removed the eggs, 

 although they had not been touched. At least two pairs breed annually 

 within Fort Brown, part of the reservation affording them the shade 

 and shelter they always seek. 



117. Antjostomus carolinensis, (Ginel.) 

 A few taken during the migrations. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 470.) 

 Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 10 Oct. 2, 1878. 



