24 Birds of Canada. 



When disturbed, it rises within a few feet, and 

 flies slowly through the woods for thirty or forty 

 yards, and generally settles on a low branch, or on 

 the ground. Its sight appears deficient during 

 the day, as it seems to want that vivacity for 

 which it is distinguished in the morning and 

 evening twilight. It does not perch, like other 

 birds, sitting across the branch, but lengthwise ; 

 and its hinder toe is capable of being turned 

 forward as well as backward. It is solitary in 

 its habits, and is generally seen alone. The 

 female begins to lay about the second week in 

 May, selecting for this purpose the most unfre- 

 quented part of the wood, often where some 

 brush, old logs, or heaps of leaves had been 

 lying, and always on a dry situation. The eggs, 

 usually two in number, greenish-white, are depo- 

 sited on the ground, or on the leaves, not the 

 slightest appearance of a nest being visible. Its 

 food consists entirely of night-flying insects. 



