Nighthawk 



This booming sound, coming from such a height that 

 the bird itself is often unseen, was said by the Indians 

 to be made by the shad spirits to warn the schools of 

 shad, about to ascend the rivers to spawn in the spring, 

 of their impending fate. 



NETLJE BLANCHAN. Bird Neighbors. 23 



They roost upon a large and nearly horizontal branch 

 in a longitudinal direction. The design of nature in this 

 instinct is to afford the bird that concealment which is 

 needful for its protection in the daytime. When thus 



placed he is entirely hidden from sight below 



If his foe were looking down upon him, he would hardly 

 be distinguished, his mottled-brown plumage making no 

 contrast in color with the bark of the tree. 



FLAGG. A Year With the Birds. 25 



CALL-NOTE : 



A sharp "eek" or "peent." 



FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. 



A shrill note that has been likened to the word Piramidig . 



FLAGG. 



An indescribable squeak. 



PARKHURST. 



A single note, of a guttural-nasal quality, almost indis- 

 tinguishable from the so-called bleat of the woodcock. 



TORREY. 

 95 



