Vol. XXIX1 



1912 



J BoLLES, Notes on Whip-poor-wills and Owls. 153 



near the lake, and he flew, his white feathers flashing as he spread 

 his tail, and the strokes of his wings making a distinct and quite 

 loud sound as he passed close above my head. 



July 8. Went out at 8.20. Bird began by barn by 8.25, and 

 remained there five to eight min. Then went further, came back, 

 and not until about 8.40 did he reach my stone. He came very 

 low, made a half circle to the right and alit. No suspicion of me, 

 although this time I had crawled up so that he was within long 

 arm's reach. He began whipping at once and the sound was 

 really deafening I forgot the mosquitoes and midges in listening. 

 My heart beat violently and in my cramped and uncomfortable 

 position I trembled so that the bushes swayed. He minded not. 

 Once I swallowed and made a slight sound in my throat, as my 

 head was jammed back on my shoulders. He stopped instantly 

 and listened. After 50-60 whips he whirled up into the air and 

 then returned, this time a foot farther away from me but facing 

 me. The sound was even more intense and I could see his white 

 throat move. He shifted his head from time to time and the 

 direction of his beak regulated the carrying power of the sound 

 remarkably. As I heard it tonight under the most favorable 

 conditions possible the soimd spelled out was a-crip-o-ri. The 

 "a" being the cluck. The last note is open. Watched very 

 closely there proved to be very little motion in the head, tail or 

 body — considering the violence of the sound. No reply came to 

 the whipping and no visitor. So after about seven to 10 minutes, 

 probably less, my bird flew away, after an interval of silence. He 

 went to the stones near the brook, and I followed to locate him. 

 He went but later came back about 9.30, and his mate came too, 

 as their extraordinary purring attested. He also went back to 

 my stone, showing thereby no fear or suspicion. It was a strange 

 feeling to be so near a living bird singing such a strange song, at 

 night. Wind N. N. W. Moon full and perfectly clear. About 

 four other whips, audible. Remarkable regularity in time, place, 

 attitude. An odd character all round. 



July 9. Took my place at 8.20. Bird came about 8.30 after 

 having been by barn as usual. He flies just over top of fence, 

 slightly rises, wheels and faces the way from which he came. He 

 began whipping without prelude and whips about 50 times, all 



