BIRDS OF KANSAS. 345 



.80, 1.12x.78; cream white, irregularly spotted and mottled 

 with lavender and pale brown; in form, elliptical. 



GENUS PHAL^NOPTILUS RIDGWAY. 



Tarsus longer than middle toe; entirely naked in front; first quill shorter 

 than fourth. Tail even, much shorter than wing; the latter less than 6.00; 

 quills without white patch. (Ridgway.) 



Phalaenoptilus nuttalli (AUD.). 

 POOR- WILL. 

 PLATE XXIII. 



Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April to first 

 of May; begin laying the last of May; return in September. 



B. 113. R. 355. C. 398. G. 164, 163. U. 418. 



HABITAT. Western United States; east into Iowa and Mis- 

 souri; south into Mexico. 



Sr. CHAR. Adult male: Top of head soft, velvety grayish, barred with 

 dusky; under tail coverts plain buff; upper parts in general, soft brownish 

 gray, with a very velvety, moth-like surface, relieved by irregular spottiugs 

 and zigzags of black, the outer webs of the quills spotted with deep buff or ochra- 

 ceous; throat with a large, transverse patch of white; other lower parts (ex- 

 cept tail coverts) barred with blackish and light buffy; tail feathers (except 

 middle pair) broadly tipped with white. Adult female: Similar to the male, 

 but usually with white tips to tail feathers narrower. Young: Much like adult, 

 but colors above more silvery gray, mixed more or less with bright rusty or ochra- 

 ceous, the black markings smaller and less distinct, the white of throat and tail 

 reduced in extent, and tinged with ochraceous or rusty. (Ridgicay.) 



Stretch of 

 Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 7.80 16.50 5.65 3.70 .70 .40 



Female 7.60 16.00 5.45 3.60 .70 .40 



They vary in size. 



Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs reddish purple; 

 feet dark brown; edges of scales whitish. 



These nocturnal birds inhabit the upland prairies and plains. 

 Their favorite resorts are rocky, bluffy grounds, where at night 

 during the breeding season and at intervals afterward they an- 

 nounce their presence by their oft-repeated wailing song, "Poor- 

 will." On the wing they are quite swift, skimming over the 

 ground in an easy, circling course, usually uttering a chicking 

 note as they fly;, but when flushed in the daylight they rise in 



