82 



VERTEBRATA. 



i3^ f 



THE WHIPPOORWILL. 



the noise, mingling with the echoes from the hills, is really surprising. Strangers, in parts of 

 the country where these birds are numerous, find it almost impossible for some time to sleep ; 

 wliile to those long acquainted with them, the sound often serves as a lullaby to assist their 

 repose. 



These notes seem pretty plainly to articulate the words which have been generally applied to 

 them, whip'poor-u<i/l, the first and last syllables being uttered with great emphasis, and the whole 

 in about two seconds to each repetition ; but when two or more males meet, their wdiip-poor-will 

 altercations become much more rapid and incessant, as if each was straining to overpower or 

 silence the other. "When near, vou often hear an introductory cluck between the notes. At 

 these times, as well as at almost all others, they fiy low, not more than a few feet from the sur- 

 face; sometimes they are seen skimming about the liouse and before the door, alighting on the 

 wood-pile, or settling on the roof. Toward midnight they generally become silent, unless in clear 

 moonlight, Avhen they are heard with little intermission till morning. If there be a creek near, 

 with high, precipitous, bushy banks, they are sure to be found in such situations. During the day 

 they sit in the most retired, solitary, and deep-shaded parts of the woods, generally on high 

 ground, where they repose in silence. AYhen disturbed, they rise within a few feet, sail low and 

 slowly through the Avoods for thirty or forty yards, and generally settle on a low branch or on 

 the ground. Their sight appears deficient, except at night. They are rarely shot at or molested, 

 and from being thus transiently seen in the obscurity of dusk, or in the deep umbrage of the 

 Avoods, their particular markings of plumage are so little known that they have been confounded 

 with the Xight-IIawk, which they resemble in general appearance. The female begins to lay 

 about the second week in May, selecting for this purpose the most unfrequented part of the wood, 

 often where some brush, old logs, heaps of leaves, <fcc., have been lying, and always in a dry situ- 

 ation. The eggs are deposited on the ground, or on the leaves, not the slightest appearance of a 

 nest being visible. They are usually two in number. The young ones have the appearance of 

 crumpled leaves or heaps of dirt, and easily escape observation. This species is found throughout 

 eastern North America from Canada to Florida, and also in Cuba, 



