black ; belly ashy, with many black spots; tail black above, golden 
beneath, rounded, the feathers pointed ; lining of wings golden ; rump 
white ; scarlet crescent on nape; bill and feet dark. Length, 12.60 inches. 
A resident species ; the majority of them, however, coming in March and leaving 
by November. No bird has attracted more universal attention and interest than this one, 
a fact due, perhaps, no less to its size than to its great beauty and admirable proportions. 
As might be expected, it bears many local names ; according to one authority, thirty-six. 
Its nest is built in a hole, dug, often in solid wood, high up in a tree ; hence one of its 
commonest popular names, High-hole. Audubon writes, ‘‘Its note is merriment itself, 
as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh, heard at a considerable distance.” 
The black crescent on the breast is very prominent, and is clearly discernible when 
the bird is at rest, and the white rump is equally conspicuous during flight. The observer 
will find no difficulty in identifying this handsome species on sight. 
PLATE X.—WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
Antrostomus vociferus. 
Mottled all over with reddish-brown, gray-black and soiled white ; 
a white collar on neck; many bristles around the mouth; tail 
