BrCKNELL on the Singing of Birds. 2 K 7 



Chaetura pelasgica. Chimney Swift. 



The rapidly accelerated chatter which the Swift runs oft' so 

 airily while on the wing, accompanies its flight through most of 

 the summer — in fact as long as the birds remain common. This 

 may be from early August till well on towards the end of the 

 month. 



Late in the stay of the species I have sometimes heard their full 

 notes while watching small companies of the birds tarrying at 

 dusk over low grounds and meadows to join the Swallows insect- 

 hunting. 



In the summer the Chimney Swifts are disposed to be liveliest 

 late in the day, and the warm evenings are enlivened by their 

 nervously rapid twittering as in wisps of two or three or more they 

 race with astonishing velocity through the air. 



But they are quickly affected by a fall of temperature, and in 

 suddenly cool evenings, chiefly in late summer, are to be seen 

 flying silently about in marked contrast with their usual noisy 

 demeanor. 



Caprimulgus vociferus. Whip-poor-will. 



I have never heard the notes of the Whip-poor-will after the 

 middle of the year, though it is well known to sing in the autumn. 

 At Sing Sing, Dr. Fisher has heard it up to September 19 ; and it 

 has been heard by different members of my family at the following 

 times and places: Canaseraga, N. Y., July 24, 1S71 ; Scarsdale, 

 N. Y., August 31, 1S80; Bay Ridge, L. I., August 10, 1S81. 



Chordeiles virginianus. Night-jar. 



The sharp cry of this bird is to be heard in spring, summer, and 

 autumn, and doubtless is independent of the seasons. I have no 

 personal knowledge as to the seasonal limitations of its well- 

 known ^booming,' and aerial evolutions. 



Picus pubescens. Downy Woodpecker. 



In addition to its usual short, sharp note, the Downy Wood- 

 pecker has a rattling cry, which starts and ends with an abrupt 



