VERTEBRATA. AVES. 



season of its activity, and the latter because (in 

 part at least) it marks its resemblance to the true 

 Owls, to which its affinity is shewn in its general 

 form, its beak, its nocturnal habits, its usual colours, 

 and even in some of its manners. 



The Nightjars feed on large moths and beetles, 

 flying in the air, to secure which the mouth is fur- 

 nished with stiff bristles or moustaches. They fly 

 chiefly at morning and evening twilight, but some 

 remain abroad during the whole night. The Whip- 

 poor-will, (C. Vociferus,} and the Chuck- will's-widow, 

 (C. Carolinensis,) of North America, are celebrated 

 for their singular cries, resembling respectively these 

 articulate sounds, and the Night-hawk, (C. America- 

 nus,) for the hollow booming sound which it utters, as 

 it drops perpendicularly from a great height. These 

 are all well described by Wilson and Audubon, and 

 our illustrious Gilbert White gives some interesting 

 particulars of the English species, (C. Europ&us.) 

 He says, "There is no bird, I believe, whose 

 manners I have studied more than those of the 

 Caprimulgus, as it is a wonderful and curious crea- 

 ture ; but I have always found, that, though some- 

 times it may chatter as it flies, as I know it does, 

 yet, in general, it utters its jarring note sitting on 

 a bough ; and I have for many a half-hour watched 

 it as it sat with its under mandible quivering, and 

 particularly this summer. It perches usually on a 

 bare twig, with its head lower than its tail. This 

 bird is most punctual in beginning its song exactly 

 at the close of day, so exactly, that I have known 



