THE NIGHTHAWK. aaa 
No. 148. 
NIGHTHAWK. 
A. O. U. No. 420. Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.). 
Synonym.—BvLL-Bat. 
Description.—Adult male: Mottled, black, gray and ochraceous, and with 
white in patches; above black predominates, especially on forehead and back, 
mottling falling into indistinct bars on upper tail-coverts and tail; anterior edge 
of wing white; the wing-quills dusky; a large, white, transverse patch about 
midway on the first five primaries, save on the outer web of the first; a large 
V-shaped throat-patch white; remaining under parts distinctly and finely barred, 
dusky and whitish with some faint ochraceous,—the latter found especially on 
the parts adjacent to the white throat-patch; the crissum sometimes pure white, 
usually barred, at greater intervals than on breast; a white band crossing tail 
near tip, except on central feathers. Bill without evident bristles, the horny part 
very small, but length of gape about an inch. ‘Tarsus very short; the middle 
claw enlarged, and with a curious, horny, comb-like process on the inner edge. 
Adult female: Similar, but without white band on tail, and with white spots 
on primaries often much reduced ; throat-patch tinged with ochraceous, and suffu- 
sion of under parts by this color more pronounced. Jimmature: More finely and 
heavily mottled than adults, and with upper parts more heavily marked, or even 
suffused with ochraceous-buff. Length 9.00-10.00 (228.6-254.); wing 4.85 
(123.2) ; tail 4.32 (109.7) ; bill from nostril .21 (5.3). 
Recognition Marks.—To appearance “Little Hawk” size 
central white spot in long wing distinctive. 
Eggs, 2, deposited on the bare ground, often among rocks, sometimes upon 
a flat rock, or on the gravel roof of a tall building; grayish white, or dull olive- 
buff marbled, mottled, or clouded and speckled with various shades of olive, 
and brownish- or purplish-gray. Av. size, 1.18 x .86 (30. x 21.8). 
General Range.—Northern and eastern North America west to the Great 
Plains and central British Columbia, and from Labrador south through tropical 
America to the Argentine Republic. 
Range in Ohio.—Not very common summer resident. Abundant during 
migrations, especially in August. Breeds sparingly throughout the state but is 
subject to great local variation. 
really smaller; 
CURIOSITY is certainly a large element in the make-up of most birds. 
Scarcely had I set my foot outside my door this August morning, when I 
caught sight of a young Nighthawk which had alighted for the day on a 
prominent bare limb of an oak, at a height of not less than sixty feet. But 
I was not the first discoverer. Half a dozen Bluebirds were hovering about 
the stranger and talking excitedly. Red-headed Woodpeckers cackled and 
scolded and exclaimed “Queer! Queer !”’ diving viciously by way of emphasis, 
at the unoffending night-bird. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Baltimore Orioles, 
and Flickers joined the mob, wagging their heads and chattering as they 
