CHUCK- WILL'S- WIDOW, 



416. Antrostomus carolinensis. 12 inches. 



Male with the end half of the outer tail feathers white, 

 and the edge of the outer vanes rusty; female with no 

 white ends to the feathers. Birds of this family have 

 small bills, but extremely large mouths adapted to catch- 

 ing night-flying moths and other insects. They remain 

 sleeping during the day, either perched lengthwise on a 

 limb or concealed beside a stump or rock on the ground, 

 their colors harmonizing with the surroundings in either 

 case. They fly, of their own accord, only at dusk or in 

 the early morning. This species, which is much the 

 largest of our Goatsuckers, is known to, at times, devour 

 small birds, as such have been found in their stomachs* 



Note. A loudly whistled and repeated "chuck-will's- 

 widow." 



Nest. None, the two eggs being laid on the ground 

 or dead leaves in underbrush. Eggs white, blotched 

 with gray and lavender (1.40x1.00). 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding 

 north to Virginia and Missouri, west to Texas. 



