20 Birds of Canada. 
turbed, it rises within a few feet, and flies slowly 
through the woods for thirty or forty yards, and 
generally settles on a low branch, or on the 
sround. Its sight appears deficient during the 
day, as it seems to want that vivacity for which 
it is distinguished in the morning and evening 
twilight. It does not perch, like other birds, 
sitting across the branch, but lengthwise; and its 
hinder toe is capable of being turned forward as 
well as backward. It is solitary in its habits, 
and is generally seen alone. The female begins 
to lay about the second week in May, selecting 
for this purpose the most unfrequented part of 
the wood, often where some brush, old logs, or 
heaps of leaves had been lying, and always ona 
dry situation. The eggs, usually two in number, 
and greenish-white, are deposited on the ground, 
or on the leaves, not the slightest appearance 
of a nest being visible. Its food consists entirely 
of night-flying insects. 
? ti i ee ~~ — 
