Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 
416. Chuck-will’s-widow: Antrostomus carolinensis 
(Gmel.) 
Breeding Range—From Virginia southward ; most common in 
Florida. 
This is a variety of the whip-poor-will breeding in the 
warmer parts of the country. In general appearance it is much 
the same, being somewhat larger, lighter in colour, and having 
hair-like branches to the bristles at the base of the bill. Length 
—12.00. 
The eggs, two in number, are placed on the bare ground or 
on leaves in thickets or woods. They are white or buff, mar- 
bled with pale brown and lilac blotches and spots. Size—1.40 
x 1.00. See Fig. 5, Plate A. 
One of the most peculiar things about this bird is its habit of 
carrying its eggs, or young, from place to place, inside its enor- 
mous mouth. In its habits it resembles the more northern spe- 
cies ; the notes are slightly different, having one more syllable. 
The nesting season begins about the first week in April. 
417. Whip-poor-will: Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.) 
Adult 6—The general colour is a mixture of rich browns, buff, 
gray, and black, with a white or whitish band below the 
throat, and white ends to the three outer tail feathers ; 
mouth very large, with bristles at base of bill. The middle 
toe is toothed on the inner side. 
Adult 2 —Has the white replaced by cream colour. Length—9.75. 
Breeding Range—Throughout the northeastern States. 
The eggs are laid on the ground, generally among dry leaves, 
with no pretence of a nest. The ground colour is creamy white 
or grayish, with dark or very faint lilac and brown markings and 
spots ; only two eggs are laid. Size—1.18 x .84. 
There are few common eggs more difficult to find than those 
of the Whip-poor-will. The bird matches to perfection, both in 
colour and marking, the surroundings chosen for the nesting, or 
I should perhaps say the ground on which the eggs are depos- 
ited, there being no nest. The eggs also are decidedly incon- 
59 
