SB AUDUBON THE KATURALIST. 



gentle undulation caused in the air by its pas- 

 sage. 



By Audubon^ wandering midst solitudes where 

 the grandeur of nature acquires sublimity from 

 the eternal repose of all around, its loud, clear 

 notes were gratefully welcomed, when, exhausted 

 and hungry, after a day of uninterrupted toil, 

 the darkness of night compelled him to set his 

 camp in the wilderness. Under such circum- 

 stances, more melodious than song of nightin- 

 gale, was the cheering voice of the whip-poor- 

 will — ^his sole companion. For the whip-poor- 

 will continues to sing several hours after sunset. 

 It then continues silent till early dawn, when, 

 along the declivities of tlie mountains, and 

 through every valley, its shrill note re-echoes 

 till the clouds which darkened the fair face of 

 nature are dispersed, and break into gladness at 

 the sun's majestic coming. Hundreds of these 

 birds then assemble in the woods, and emulate 

 each other in a chorus. They receive their 

 name from the fancied resemblance of their note 

 to the words whip-poor-will. Their migrations 

 southward, as well as their toils, are performed 

 by night. Audubon unhesitatingly pronounced 

 this species distinct from the night hawk. 



About the middle of March, in the forests of 

 Louisiana, the song of the chuck-will's-widow, 

 its interesting relative, may be heard. It is 



