THE NIGHT HAWK. 61 



tie, and the crane, and the Swallow observe the time 

 of their coming ; but my people know not the judge- 

 ment of the Lord." 



What a reproof this to disobedient, wicked man. 

 The birds of the air, by their natural instinct, are en- 

 abled to know and perform their duty. They go and 

 came, and rear their young at fixed times and places, 

 and for thousands of years have never been known to 

 fail of doing so. But man, notwithstanding his accoun- 

 tability to God for all his actions, and after the offers 

 of mercy on the one hand, and the threatenings of 

 vengeance on the other, still disobeys his Maker. 

 " My people know not the judgements of the Lord." 



THE NIGHT HAWK. 



How large is the Night Hawk ? 



The Night Hawk is nine inches long, and when the 

 wings are spread, nearly two feet in extent. 



What colour is this bird ? 



The colour of the back, and upper parts, is of a deep 

 blackish brown ; on the wings, and about the head and 

 neck, this colour is spotted with yellow ; the tail and 

 quill feathers are nearly black, with a streak of white 

 across each. 



What is the shape of the Night Hawk ? 



In shape, this bird is short and thick ; the head and 

 eyes are large, but the bill is so short and small as on- 

 ly just to reach beyond the head ; the mouth is very 

 deep, opening almost to the eyes ; the legs are short t 

 and feathered to the knee. 



