THE NIGHT HAWK. 63 



bird, she takes no trouble about a nest, and deposites 

 them on the bare ground, or on a solid rock. 



Such conduct might seem to shew a want of com- 

 mon sense, or of proper care for her future brood. 

 But instead of this, it displays in this bird an uncom- 

 mon degree of sagacity. The spot on which the eggs 

 are laid is always dry, and a little higher than the 

 ground around it, so that in case of rain, they may not 

 be covered by the water. 



The place seems also to be selected with reference 

 to the colour of the bird, and of her eggs. The bird 

 is dark, spotted with yellow, so that a few sticks or 

 leaves around her would make the whole appear much 

 of the same colour. The eggs are green, spotted with 

 black, and can hardly be distinguished from the ground 

 on which they lie, at a yard's distance. Indeed, the 

 place is chosen with so much judgement, and the de- 

 ception so complete, that* it is not uncommon, when 

 one is walking near her nest, to be startled by her fly- 

 ing up from almost under his feet, without his having 

 before discovered that any living creature was near him, 

 She seems to be aware that her nest is less likely to 

 be found if she sits still, than if she flies away; and 

 hence, although at other times a wild bird, w r ill re- 

 main on it, until nearly in danger of being trodden un- 

 der foot. 



When obliged to fly, her sagacity is still striking, 

 and often effectual in saving her eggs. Instead of 

 darting away like most other birds, she acts as though 

 she could neither fly nor run, but tumbles and rolls 

 along within a yard or two of the person, and pre- 

 tends that this is the best she can do. One not ac- 



