298 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



the Whippoorwill. They move through the air very irregularly, 

 and often change their course at nearly every flapping of their 

 wings, as they dart about in the search of the winged insects 

 upon which they feed. They fly about freely in the day-time, 

 especially if it be cloudy, but they are generally rather silent 

 in very sunny w r eather. They occasionally alight upon the 

 ground, and move about, but whether in search of earth or 

 insects I am uncertain, probably the former. 



The Night "Hawks" are common summer-residents through- 

 out New England, but, according to Mr. Allen, 1 do not winter 

 in Florida, as many Whippoorwills do. They usually reach 

 Massachusetts in the earlier part of May, or sometimes, it is 

 said, in April. Separate individuals or pairs are not uncom- 

 mon, but they may often be seen migrating in companies, con- 

 taining even two dozen, for the} 7 are more or less gregarious 

 throughout the year. They show a fondness for pasture-land, 

 and uncultivated districts, though quite common in Boston and 

 other cities, where they have been found to lay their eggs on 

 flat roofs. They are probably more abundant in northern New 

 England than in Massachusetts, in some places forming large 

 colonies. Near Wilson's Mills in Maine, says Mr. Samuels, 

 " in the space of every four or five rods, a female was sitting 

 on her eggs." Both Wilson and Audubon speak of the female's 

 endeavors, when frightened during incubation, to lead the in- 

 truder away by feigning lameness and distress. In this case, 

 though less so than with many other birds who build no nest, 

 it 'is difficult to find the eggs. If these latter be left undis- 

 turbed when found, they are sometimes removed, very probably 

 in the capacious mouths of their parents, as Audubon states to 

 be the case with the Chuck- will's-widow. The Night "Hawks" 

 like the Whippoorwills perch lengthwise, but unlike them fre- 

 quently utter their notes on wing. 



(d). Their ordinary note is peculiar and indescribable, 

 though I have heard it well imitated by the human mouth. 

 It is usually called a loud, harsh squeak, but I know no sounds 



1 " List of the Winter Birds of East Florida, with Annotations." J. A. Allen. 



