236 NIGIITHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. 



The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, beats a rolling tattoo in the 

 spring, but his vocal song proper is a rapidly-repeated, mellow cuh- 

 cuh-ciih-cuh-cuh, etc., as springlike a sound as the peeping of frogs. 

 His usual note is a vigorous, nasal kee-yer. It recalls frosty fall morn- 

 ings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodbine and 

 pepperidge berries. Approaching their feeding grounds, one may hear 

 the " Flicker " note. It can be closely imitated by the swishing of a 

 willow wand: weecheiv, weechew, weechew. I never remember hearing 

 a bird utter this note when alone. It is accompanied by the oddest 

 gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each 

 other. 



ORDER MACROOHIRES. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, 

 HUMMINGBIRDS, ETC. 



Family Caprimulgid^. Nighthawks, Whip-poor-wills, 



ETC. 



Goatsuckers are found in most parts of the world, but are more 

 numerously represented in the tropics. Some eighty-five species are 

 known, of which about one half are American, though only seven 

 reach North America. Most of the American species are forest-inhab- 

 iting, passing the day upon the leaves or perched lengthwise upon the 

 branches of trees, where their dull, blended colors harmonize with 

 their surroundings. The Nighthawks, however, are equally at home 

 in treeless countries. Nighthawks feed high in the air, like Swifts, 

 while other species frequent the borders of forests or clearings, where 

 they feed nearer the ground. All the species capture their food of 

 insects on the wing, their enormous mouths and the long, stiffened 

 bristles, which in some species beset its base, especially adapting them 

 to this mode of feeding. Many of the species are possessed of remark- 

 able vocal powers, and their cries are among the most striking of bird 

 notes. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. A wliite spot in the Aving. 420. Nigiithawk. 420('. Florida Nigiithawk. 



B. No white spot in the wing; primaries spotted with rufous. 



a. Wing under 7*50 417. Whip-poor-will. 



b. Wing over 7'50 416. Chuck-will's-widow. 



416. Antrostomus carolinensis {Gmel.). Chuck-will's-widow. 

 Ad. (5 . — Dpper parts streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraceous- 

 buft'and blaek ; primaries black, with broken rufous bars; tail mottled with 

 black and ochraceous-buft', the end half of all but the two middle feathers 

 white, more or less washed with butfy on the inner vane ; under parts mot- 



