!M) LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



of hearing, which is well developed, is the only one that 

 is doubtless called into requisition on such occasions. 



The flight of this species is noiseless, never very high, 

 and but poorly sustained. Its pursuit of insects differs 

 slightly from that of Chuck-Wills-Widow ; its flight on 

 such occasions being without any noticeable sailing, but after 

 the fashion of the Muscicapidce . 



This species receives its common appellation, from its noc- 

 turnal cry, which has a slight resemblance to whip-poor-will. 

 but which a fertile fancy can construe into a variety of sounds. 

 These words are rapidly enunciated and almost incessant!} 

 repeated, and are only uttered when the bird is reposing on 

 a bush or fence, or any other object near the ground, but 

 never while in flight. Its song is heard during the night, 

 but measurably diminishes in frequency and intensity as the 

 day begins to dawn. Being a nocturnal species, the livelong- 

 day is spent in quietness in the dark recesses of its chosen 

 retreats. 



When twilight has settled into dusky night, these birds 

 issue from their gloomy retreats, and take to more open 

 quarters in quest of the winged insects which constitute their 

 favorite food, and which are attracted by the lights of our 

 dwellings. Similar situations are visited year after year. 

 The food of the species consists mostly of coleoptera, or- 

 thoptera, and lepidoptera, which it encounters in its noc- 

 turnal peregrinations. Few species are more decidedly in- 

 sectivorous. The immense good which it accomplishes, is 

 deserving of unstinted praise, which I fear, in some sections, 

 is not accorded to it. Our numerous stomach-examinations 

 have revealed indubitable evidences of the following bee- 

 tles : Passalus cortiutus* Pangus caliginosus^ Dic<.cliix 

 dilatatus* Lucana dama, Lachiwsterna querchia* L. hir- 

 ti'cuta. Cotalpa lanigera, Pelidnota punctata, Cratony- 

 cJnis cinereus, Harpalus pensylvanicus* If. cotnpar, J3u- 

 p rest 'is -cirghiica, Stcnoconis villnsus. and Ckrysomela 

 sca/aris. A few orthopters which inhabit bushes, CEcaii- 

 ////Y.V ;//:'<r//.v. Cvrtophvllus coucavus* Phylloptera oblongi- 



