200 BIRDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA — PART 2 



and upper breast dull black barred with buff and mottled with grayish 

 white; a broad band of white across upper foreneck; rest of under 

 surface buff to buffy white barred with dull black. 



This is the abundant species of nighthawk found in the Republic, 

 distributed in the lowlands mainly outside extensive forests. It is 

 seen in largest number in swampy areas, where the birds sleep during 



Figure 33. — Lesser nighthawk, tapacamino menor, Chordeiles acutipennis. 



the day, resting lengthwise on open limbs shaded by the leaves of the 

 tree crown overhead. They are found especially in mangrove swamps, 

 and in woodland lining the banks of the larger rivers, particularly 

 where trees stand in shallow water. At sunset they fly out to course 

 for insects, that they capture in the scoop of the open mouth during 

 steady flight. As darkness nears they tend to move farther away from 

 their sleeping quarters, and then may appear in plazas in small towns, 

 and over roads and open fields anywhere. Their flight is rapid, driven 

 by strong wing strokes, to gain momentum, followed by set wings in 



