292 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



On May 29, 1892, an individual of this species was heard singing under bright 

 sunlight at 3 130 P. M. Other than on this occasion it has not been heard during day- 

 light later than 4 A. M. 



GENUS GHORDEILES SWAINSON. 



84. Chordeiles virginianus (GMEL.). 



Nighthawk; Hull-but. 



A common summer resident from May 7 to September 14. It is more numerous 

 during migrations, especially in the fall, though there have been here observed no 

 large nights such as elsewhere frequently occur. It may occasionally be seen at dusk 

 on spring evenings, in the streets and yards of the town, whither it appears to have 

 ventured in pursuit of food. It is often abroad in bright sunlight, usually in the 

 afternoon, but is seldom seen in company with other birds. 



A single egg of this species was found on June 20, 1893, in a strawberry patch 

 on the outskirts of Wooster. This nest having been disturbed, a clutch of two eggs 

 . was later discovered in the same situation. Although these are the only actual 

 records obtained, the Nighthawk undoubtedly breeds regularly in this locality. 



SUBORDER CYPSELI. SWIFTS. 



FAMILY fllCROPODID^E. SWIFTS. 



SUBFAMILY CH/ETURIN/E. SPINE-TAILED SWIFTS. 



GENUS CENTURA STEPHENS. 



85. Chaetura pelagica (LINN.). 

 Chimney Swift. 



An abundant summer resident ; especially numerous in the towns. The earliest 

 date of its spring arrival is March 28 (1890), the latest April 21 (1892), but it usually 

 appears about the middle of April. The dates of its disappearance in fall range 

 between October i and October 7. 



From the last part of April until the twentieth of May, each year, the Swifts con- 

 gregate in Wooster almost daily, to roost in a chimney of the court-house. One hun- 

 dred and fifty to two hundred are usually seen at first, the number being gradually aug- 

 mented until about May 10, after which time it generally soon begins to decrease. 

 Sometimes as many as 1,000 birds have been seen in the vicinity of the court-house, 

 but this number has probably never been exceeded. While their usual time of con- 

 gregating is between six and seven o'clock in the afternoon, they have not infre- 

 quently been observed entering the chimney during the middle of the afternoon. 

 Less commonly are they to be seen in numbers about the chimney during the fore- 

 part of the day, but on a few occasions they have been observed entering even as early 

 as half -past seven or eight A. M. The darkening of the sky by an approaching thunder- 

 shower, especially if in the afternoon, generally causes them to assemble and enter 

 their roosting place; and frequently they do not emerge after the storm has passed. 



They always resort to a particular large six-flued chimney, one of the flues of 

 which is very often in use. They do not, however, seem to be in the least annoyed by 

 the smoke which issues from this part of the chimney, but drop unconcernedly into 



