XV 



NIGHTHAWK AND WHIP-POOR-WILL 



RUSTIC people are a little shy of theories and 

 " book-learning." Not long ago it was early 

 in March I met an old man who lives by him- 

 self in a kind of hermitage in the woods, and 

 who knows me in a general way as a bird stu- 

 dent. We greeted each other, and I inquired 

 whether he had seen any bluebirds yet. No, he 

 said, it was n't time. 



" Oh, but they are here," I answered. " I saw 

 a flock of ten on the 26th of February." Good- 

 natured incredulity came out all over his face. 



" Did you hear them sing ? " he asked. 



" Yes," said I ; " and, furthermore, I saw 

 some this forenoon very near your house." 



" Well," he remarked, " according to my ex- 

 perience, it is too early for bluebirds. Besides, 

 they never go in flocks ; and when anybody tells 

 me at this time of the year that he has seen a 

 flock of bluebirds, I always know that he has seen 

 some blue snowbirds." 



