

SPECIES 2. CAPRIMULG US J1MERICANUS. * 



NIGHT-HAWK. 

 [Plate XL. Fig. 1, Male. Fig. 2, Female.] 



Long-winged Goatsucker, Arct. Zool. JVo. 337. PEALE'S Muse- 

 um, JVb. 7723, male; 7724, female. 



THIS bird, in Virginia and some of the southern districts, is 

 called a bat; the name Night-hawk is usually given it in the 

 middle and northern states, probably on account of its appear- 

 ance when on wing very much resembling some of our small 

 Hawks, and from its habit of flying chiefly in the evening. 

 Though it is a bird universally known in the United States, 

 and inhabits North America, in summer, from Florida to Hud- 

 son's Bay, yet its history has been involved in considerable 

 obscurity by foreign writers, as well as by some of our own 

 country. Of this I shall endeavour to devest it in the present 

 account. 



Three species only, of this genus, are found within the United 

 States; the Chuck-wilP 's-widow, the Whip-poor-will, and the 

 Night-hawk. The first of these is confined to those states lying 

 south of Maryland; the other two are found generally over the 

 union, but are frequently confounded one with the other, and 

 by some supposed to be one and the same bird. A comparison 

 of this with the succeeding plate, which contains the figure of 

 the Whip-poor-will, will satisfy those who still have their doubts 

 on this subject; and the great difference of manners which dis- 

 tinguishes each will render this still more striking and satisfac- 

 tory. 



* Caprimitlgus popetue, VIEILL. Ois. de i'Jm. Sept. pi. 24, female. 



