THE BIRD BOOK 



Nighthawk 



420. NIGHTHAWK. Chord- 

 eiles virginianus vir- 

 ginianus. 



Range. North America, 

 east of the Plains and from 

 Labrador to the Gulf of Mex- 

 ico; winters through Mexico 

 to northern South America. 



The Nighthawk or some of 

 its sub-species is found in 

 nearly all parts of North 

 America, its habits being the 

 same in all localities. It is 



Grayish white 



of the same size as the Whip- 

 poor-will, from which species 

 it can readily be distinguish- 

 ed by its lack of mouth bris- 

 tles, forked tail with a white 

 band near the end, and the 

 white band across the primar- 

 ies, the latter mark showing 

 very plainly during flight. Be- 

 sides in the country, they are 



very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk 

 flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon 

 the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on 

 rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat 

 rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with 

 darker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85. 



420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles vir- 

 ginianus henryi. 



Range. United States west of the Plains. 



A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage 

 somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open 

 portions of the country in its range, its habits and 

 nesting habits being the same as others of the former 

 species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color. 



Grayish white 



420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani. 



Range. A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast. 

 No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the 

 northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable. 



