115 



frequently heard after the beginning of August, as during the early 

 part of summer. 



I append the following note from my journal: "May 14, 1877. 

 This evening I approached a wall behind which a pair of Whippoor- 

 wills were crying; every minute they would fly out after insects, in 

 small circles, immediately continuing their notes on settling again, 

 so that scarcely any interruption was perceptible. Between each 

 whip-poor-will, they uttered a cavernous chuck as usual, and then 

 a low, guttural hollow caw-ca-ca ca-ca hic-hic-hic ca-ca-tic, etc. 

 These ludicrous sounds, probably their love notes, were uttered in 

 a low, hollow tone. I shot the male, at which the female flew close up 

 to me, then removed a short distance, and commenced a loud whip- 

 poor-will in seemingly a joyous tone ; but this is probably their one 

 way of expressing every strong emotion." 



Dimensions. Average measurements of seven specimens: length, 

 9'75; stretch, 18-60; wing, 6-08; tail, 4-65; culmen, -37; bill from 

 nostril, -30; gape, 1-34; tarsus, -70; middle toe, -64; its claw, -24. 



114. Chordeiles popetue ( Vieillof). NIGHTHAWK. A rather 

 common summer resident; breeds. Arrives towards the end of April 

 (May 12, 1872 ; April 14, 1873 ; May 15, 1875 ; 18, 1877 ; April 27, 1878 ; 

 18, 1879; May 8, 1880;, and departs late in September ("October 3, 

 1874; September 15, 1875; 15, 1876). Large flocks pass through 

 during migrations. 



Dimensions. Measurements of No. C81, $ ad., May 17, 1875, E. A. 

 M. : length, 10-00; stretch, 24-00; wing, 7'88; tail, 480; culmen, 

 25; tarsus, -55. 



Family, CYPSELIDJE. 



115. Chsetura pelagica (Linne). CHIMNEY SWIFT; "CHIMNEY 

 SWALLOW." An abundant summer resident; breeds. Arrives about 

 the end of April (28, 1872; May 6, 1873; 8, 1874; 3, 1875; 6, 1876; 

 April 26, 1877; 28, 1878; May 4, 1879; April 27, 1880), and departs the 

 last of September (30, 1877; 28, 1878; 29, 1879; 18, 1880). 



Chimney Swifts begin to build during the last week of May, when 

 they may be seen breaking off the small, dry twigs with which they 

 build their nests, while on wing. The eggs are laid early in June. 

 During migrations they associate in large flocks, roosting in some 

 large, high chimney. They retire just at dusk, dropping down chimney 

 very much as Rails settle into the grass. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of thirteen specimens : length, 

 5-43; stretch, 12-46; wing, 4 94; tail, 1 90; bill from nostril, -15; gape, 

 59; tarsus, 49; middle toe, -29; middle toe and its claw, -45; claw 

 alone, -22. 



