66 THE NIGHT HAWK. 



protecting themselves and their progeny from destruc- 

 tion, the wisdom and goodness of the Creator are plain- 

 ly manifest. Did they not possess this power, some 

 kinds would soon be entirely destroyed, jand thus the 

 design for which they were created never fulfilled. 



That the Creator has condescended to endow the 

 birds of the 1 air with such striking qualities, ought to 

 operate as a convincing proof on our minds, that he is 

 (every where, and at all times present, and that he 

 guides, directs, and governs all parts of his creation. 



The actions of this bird, as seen in the air, are very 

 singular, and it is impossible to say for what purpose 

 he behaves in such a manner. 



At evening he may be seen, particularly over rivers, 

 or marshy places, mounted very high over head, fly- 

 ing, first with several quick motions of the wings, and 

 then with a few slow ones, then with the quick motions 

 again, and so, alternately. At the same time ke keeps 

 going up higher and higher, now and then uttering a 

 harsh peeping sound, which may often be heard when 

 the bird is not seen. Having arrived at the highest 

 pitch, he instantly turns head downwards, and de- 

 scends with great rapidity, nearly to the ground, when 

 he wheels suddenly up again, at the same time turning 

 the points of his wings downwards, in form of the new 

 moon, and making a noise resembling that produced 

 by blowing strongly into the bung of an empty hogs- 

 head. He then ascends upward, with the usual slow 

 and quick motions of his wings, and then down again 

 as before. 



The female makes the harsh peeping noise itf the 

 same manner with the male ; she also flies with the 



