308 LAND-BIRDS. 



and other small insects that may be lurking there. Its flight 

 is so light and noiseless, that whilst it is passing within a few 

 feet of a person, the motion of its wings is not heard by him, 

 and merely produces a gentle undulation in the air. During 

 all this time, it utters a low murmuring sound, by which 

 alone it can be discovered in the dark, when passing within a 

 few yards of one, and which I have often heard when walking 

 or riding through the barrens at night." The young run 

 about much like young Partridges. 



d. The most characteristic note of these birds is a loud 

 whistle, which resembles more or less distinctly the syllables 

 whip-poor-will. It is said to be never repeated, except after 

 dark, and when the birds are perched, as on a fence or roof. 

 It is most commonly heard in June, and is usually preceded 

 by a click, as if produced by a snapping of the bill. The other 

 notes of the Whippoorwills are low, sweet whistles (whit, 

 whit, whit) and occasionally a rather harsh and guttural chat- 

 ter. Mr. Nuttall says that the young have a low, mournful 

 pe-ugh. It is probable, at least in New England, that few or 

 no superstitions are now attached to these birds. 



II. CHORDEILES. 



A. VIRGINIANUS. Night "Hawk" "Bull-bat" A 

 common summer resident throughout New England.* 



a. About nine inches long. Tail, forked. Variously mot- 

 tled, or variegated. $ , with a white, and , with a reddish, 

 throat-patch. $, with both a white wing-patch and white 

 tail-spots. 



b. The eggs, of which two are here laid about the first of 

 June, are dropped upon rocks, upon the ground, or occasion- 

 ally upon a flat roof. They have been found variously in 

 cities, pastures, fields, and woods. They are elliptical, aver- 

 age about 1.25 X .85 of an inch, and are light gray, or brown, 



* Although the Night Hawk breeds dom or never seen excepting during 



throughout New England, it is a bird migration. As a rule, it nests on the 



of somewhat local distribution, espe- sides or summits of bare rocky hills 



cially in Massachusetts and to the or ledges remote from the habitations 



southward, where, throughout many of man. W. B. 

 areas of considerable extent, it is sel- 



