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It arrives on Long Island about the first of May, from the South- 

 In the latter part of the same month the female commences laying. 

 For this purpose the least frequented parts of the woods are selected. 

 The eggs are deposited on the ground, and in form resemble those 

 of the Night Hawk — ^the color is grayish-white, marked all over 

 with dark olive. 



GENUS CHORDEILES— SWAINSON. 



NIGHT HAWK. 

 [Closely allied to the preceding Genus (Caprimulgus.) Bill extremely small ; 

 mouth opening to beneath the centre of the eyes ; upper mandible declinate at 

 tip ; head and eyes large ; wings long, pointed ; tail emarginate.] 



CHORDELIES VIRGINIANUS— BRISS. 



NIGHT HAWK. 



Night Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Caprimulgus Virginianus, Bonap. Syn. 

 Caprimulgus (Chordeiles) Virginianus, Sw. <fc Rich. 

 Night. Hawk, Caprimulgus Americanus, Nuit. Man. 

 Night Hawk, Caprimulgus Virgmianus, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Throat and a band on the sides of the neck 

 in form an inverted V. Adult with the upper parts brownish-black, 

 mottled with white and pale reddish-brown ; lower parts grayish 

 white, barred with blackish-brown ; wings and tail feathers brownish 

 black, on the former a white band on the first five quills ; the latter 

 barred with brownish-gray, the outer four feathers on each side plain 

 brownish-black toward the end, with a large white spot ; throat and 

 upper part of the sides of the neck white. Female rather larger, 

 the white markings on the throat tinged with reddish-brown and the 

 white spots on the tail feathers wanting. Length nine inches, wing 

 seven and three quarters. 



Early in May the Night Hawk makes its appearance on Long 

 Island. Its migrations are said to extend to the fur countries. 

 About an hour before sunset they are seen flying about in pairs. — 

 Although this seems to be a favorite time for its serial excursions, 

 yet it is sometimes seen at all hours during day, darting through the 

 air in quest of its favorite insects. It is known to many persons by 



