338 



THE WHIP-POOR-WILL. 



is a gigantic sycamore, which, a century or so ago, was topped by the wind. 

 In the trunk of this tree, which is hollow to the roots, Chimney Swifts have 

 built for years. There are other hollow trees in the neighborhood, into which 

 I have also seen birds carrying sticks; and if all such trees in the state could 

 be counted, they would probably foot up 'hundreds, or, perhaps even thou- 

 sands." 



No. 147. 



WHIP-POOR-WILL. 



A. O. U. No. 417. Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.). 



Synonym. NIGHT-JAR. 



Description. Adult male: Mottled, black, gray and ochraceous of sev- 

 eral shades in intricate patterns and soft blendings; a narrow collar and the 

 terminal third of three outer pairs of rectrices white, the former margined, and 

 the latter tipped with ochraceous-buff ; crown and nape finely mixed gray, with 

 narrow lateral, and broad medial black streaks ; the wings much mixed with 

 ochraceous-buff, which is nearly pure in spots on outer webs of dusky primaries ; 

 four median tail-feathers gray and dusky, indistinctly barred, and with ochraceous 

 mottling ; the lateral feathers chiefly blackish, and with large white terminal bands ; 

 below nearly black on throat above collar, and across breast ; lighter on belly 

 and sides, obscurely barred with dusky in wavy outlines on pinkish buff, fulvous, 

 or ochraceous ground ; bill with enormous gape and protected by stout, undivided 

 rictal bristles, an inch or so in length, and seven or eight in number on a side. 

 The bristle idea is carried out by numerous hair-like tips of the feathers which 

 border the throat on the sides and meet the bristles above. Feet a little stouter 

 than in preceding species. Adult female : Similar, but with narrow ochraceous- 

 buff, instead of broad, white terminal bands on outer tail-feathers ; collar more 

 extensively tinged with buffy. Immature: Pattern of upper parts somewhat 

 different; plainer below. Length 9.50-10.00 (241.3-254.); wing 6.16 (156.5); 

 tail 473 (120.1) ; gape 1.28 (32.5) ; bill from nostril .30 (7.6). 



Recognition Marks. Robin size ; general mottled and brindled appearance ; 

 crescentic white collar ; prominent rictal bristles ; no u'hite iving-spot. 



Eggs, 2, laid on the ground or among dead leaves, in damp woods or thicket ; 

 elliptical, dull white or creamy, with spots and dots or sometimes blotches of 

 yellowish brown, and with obscure lilac shell markings. Av. size, 1.16 x .86 

 (29.5 x 21.8). 



General Range. Eastern North America to the Plains, and from latitude 

 50 south to Guatemala. 



Range in Ohio. Not uncommon summer resident, but locally restricted. 



AS one is picking his way late in April through a low damp wood, 

 choked with underbrush, a dark figure suddenly rises from the dead leaves at 

 his feet, uttering a low disconcerted chuck, but moving off with wings of 



