408 



NOFfTH AMl<:RirAN BIRD?;. 



El l*aso, Mr. (Ijirk saw tlicse h'mU eongrejjjated in such quantities over a 

 mud-hole from wliicli \\\'iv issuin^Li: myriads of insects, tliat he felt that the 

 discharge anion-' them of mustard-seed shot would involve a wanton destruc- 

 tiun. This sj)ecies is not known, according to his account, to make a swoop 

 in the manner of tlie connnon species. It does not utter the same hoarse 

 sounds, nor does it ever lly so high. 



Among tlie n(»tes of tlie late Dr. I5erlandier, of Matamora.-^ we find refer- 

 ences to this species, to which he gives the common name of Pauraque, and 

 in his collection of eggs are many that un([uestionably are those of this 

 bird, and wliicli are, in all respects but size, in close attinity to the eggs of 

 the common Night-llawk. These eggs measure 1.18 inches in length by 

 .87 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color, seen througli a magnifying 

 glass, is of clear crystal whiteness, but is so closely covered by overlaying 

 markings as not to l)e discernible to the eye. They are marked over the entire 

 surface with small irregular continent spots and blotches, which are a blend- 

 ing of black, und)er, and j)urplish-gray markings. These combinations give 

 to tiie e^^'^ the appearance of a piece of polislied marble of a dark gray color. 

 They are both smaller and of a lighter color than those of the cojimon 

 eastern bird. 



GexNus ANTROSTOMUS, (Jould.^ 



Antrosfuiuics, GoULU, Icones Avium, 1838. <Tyi>e, Cupriniulgus carolvietisis, Gm.) 



Gen. CiiAK. Bill very small, with tabular nostrils, and tlie I'ape with lonjr, stiff, some- 

 times pectinated bristles piujecting beyond the end of the bill. Tarsi moderate, partly 



ft'athered above. Tail broad, round- 

 ed; wings broad and rounded; first 

 quill shorter than third : plumage soft 

 and lax. Habit nocturiial. 



In what the genus AntrustouLUs 

 really ditt'ers from Ciiprimulgva 

 proper, we are quite unable to 

 sav, as in the manv variations 

 of form of both New and Old 

 World species of these two di 

 visions respectively, it is said to 

 be not ditiictdt to find specie' in 

 each, almost identical in form. In the want of suitable material for com- 

 parison, we shall follow Sclater in using Atitrostomm for the New^ World 

 species. 



Antrostomus nuttal'i. 



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