,S,X LIFK-IIISTORIKS OF HIRDS 



and with body, not quadrangular. Outer toe four-jointed, 

 middle claw pectinate; posterior toe quite short, raised, and 

 turned to the side : front toes, with a movable web at base : 

 tarsus \ erv short and. ordinarih , much feathered. Besides 

 the semi-palmation of the feet, another curious analogy to our 

 wjiding birds, is observable ; the young are downy at birth 

 as in the /'rtecocrs. and not naked, as is the invariable rule, 

 among A/frices. The mouth is large, and the rictus strmiglv 

 bristled as in the Flycatchers. The plumage is soft and 

 loose, like that of the Strigida. In this country, this group 

 is represented by two genera. A-ntrvstoinu.s and (.'/it>njc//cx: 

 the former has very large rictal bristles, rounded tail, and 

 comparatively short wings ; while the latter has slight bris- 

 tles, forked tail, and long pointed wings. The feet are ex- 

 ceedingly short, which interfere with the ordinary manner of 

 perching ; they being necessitated to sit lengthwise on a large 

 branch, or crouch upon the ground. The sexes are nearK 

 alike, yet distinguishable. 



Antrostomus vociferus, />w<7/>. 



This well-known species, the \Vhippoorwill. has a some- 

 what extended range in Eastern North .America, being found 

 from the Atlantic westward to the valley of the Missouri, and 

 from Florida on the south to the soth parallel of north lati- 

 tude. It was met with by Dr. Richardson on the northern 

 shores of Lake Huron, but never farther north. Through- 

 out New England, it is rather common ; but in New Bruns- 

 wick and Nova Scotia, it is quite rare. In the vicinity ol 

 Calais, it is never abundant. Mr. Say observed it at Pembi- 

 na. Its limit evidently does not reach as far west as Texas, 

 as it is unknown from this quarter. Dr. I lall affirms it to be 

 rather abundant near Montreal ; and. also around Hamilton. 

 Canada, according to Mr. Mcllwraith. it is by no means a 

 rare summer visitant. Dr. Lembeye says it is a resident of 

 Cuba : and. according to Dr. Gundlach. the eggs of this 

 species have been taken within that island. 



