404 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



With all these variations the eggs are readily recognizable, and bear no re- 

 semblance to any others except those of texensis and henryi. From the 

 former tliey are easily distinguished by the greater size, but from the latter 

 they can only be separated by considerations of locality. 



Chordeiles popetue, var. henryi, Cassin. 



WESTERN NIGHT-HAWK. 



Chordeiles henryi, Cassin, Illust. Birds of Cal. & Tex. I, 1855, 233. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 

 1858, 153, pi. xvii. — ScLATEE, P. Z. S. 1866, 133. — Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 343. 



Sp. Char. Similar to var. popetue, but the male considerably lighter, with a greater 

 predominance of the light mottlings, producing a more grayish aspect ; the female more 

 rufous. Wing-patch of the male larger (at least an inch long), and, like the tail-patch, 

 crossing the whole breadth of the feather. 



Hab. Western Province of North America, except Pacific Coast region. Matamoras 

 to San Antonio, Texas (Dresser, Ibis, 186.5, 471) ; Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 1866, 

 58). 



In examining a large series of Night-Hawks, we find the differences in- 

 dicated above, in specimens from the Black Hills, Eocky Mountains, and the 

 adjacent regions, to be quite decided and constant. Skins, however, from 

 Washington, Oregon, and California, seem darker even than the typical 

 eastern. There is no prominent difference beyond the lighter colors of male, 

 and greater distinctness, extent, and purity of the white or light markings, 

 and in the white patches of wing and tail, crossing the outer webs of all the 

 feathers ; the general proportions and pattern of coloration being quite the 

 same. It will therefore seem proper to consider C. henryi as a local race, 

 characteristic of the region in which it occurs, and as such noteworthy, 

 but not entitled to independent rank. 



Another race, C. minor, Cab., similar to var. popetue, but considerably 

 smaller (7.50, wing, 7.00), is resident in Cuba and Jamaica. C. popetue is 

 also said to breed in the latter island, but minor is probably referred to. 



Habits. This form, whether we regard it as a good species, or only a 

 western race of the common Night-Hawk, was first described as a new va- 

 riety by Mr. Cassin, in 1855, from specimens procured at Fort Webster, 

 New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, in honor of whom it was named. Its claim to 

 be considered a distinct race or species rests chiefly upon its constantly dif- 

 ferent colorations. 



Dr. Cooper, who regarded this form not specifically distinct from the Night- 

 Hawk, states that it is not found near the coast border of California. 



Dr. Kennerly encountered it in abundance in the vicinity of Los Nogales, 

 in Sonora, in June. Late in the afternoon they came in great numbers 

 around the camp. They kept circling round and round, and approached the 

 earth nearer and nearer with the declinino- sun. 



i 



