nil". WKSTERX XIC.HTllAWK. 



409 



nunihers lo a given s\)i>i. I Iia\c seen scores ai a time winginj^ noiselessly to 

 antl fro over the tran(|iiil waters of Brook Lake, and once 1 saw a coiii])any 

 of not less tiian two hundred executing; a grand march with bewildering 

 evolutions, in a \'akima pasture. The date in the last-mentioned instance 

 was August lOlh. and it is more likeh' that the birds had discovered some 

 notable event in the insect world, than that they themselves were ])reparing 

 to migrate. 



The eggs of the Xighlhawk are hea\il\" mottled with slaty and other 

 tints, which render them practicalK' imisible to the searching eye. even tho 

 tiicy rest ujwn the bare ground or. as ofiener. upon an exposed lava ledge. 

 Except during the very warmest hours ( when the sun's rays might addle 

 them) and the coolest (when they might become chilled), the sitting bird 

 is likely to rest beside her eggs instead of on them. The young Ijirds when 

 hatched place great reliance upon their protective coloration, and even jjermit 

 the fondlini-- of the hand rather than confess the defect of their faticied 



-; ^ 



Spokan 



WESTERN XH.HTII.AW K AT MI1>D.\Y. 



Tekplwlo by IV. H. Wright. 



security. 'I'he old bird, meanwhile has fluttered away over the ground with 

 uncertain wing and droo])ing tail to dro]) at last on the very jxiint of death. 

 Or failing in this ruse, she is charging about in luid air with jilaintive cries. 

 Look upon the babies for the last time, for they will be spirited away before 

 your return, — borne off, it is said, between the thighs of the ])arent bird. 



