202 THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 



The birds make no attempt whatever to build a nest, 

 the eggs being placed on the ground or in some leaves, 

 but always in a dry place. The eggs are two in number, 

 white with lilac markings and gray spots, and one and 

 one-fifth by four-fifths of an inch in size. 



The birds breed from the plains to the sea coast and 

 from Virginia to Nova Scotia and spend the winter in the 

 Gulf states, Mexico and Guatemala. They arrive in New 

 Jersey about the middle of April and leave about the first 

 of October. 



Their cry is whip-poor-will, generally repeated five 

 times and in the evening, frequently far into the night ; 

 when near the bird an introductory cluck may be heard 

 between the notes. 



The food of the birds consists of insects, generally 

 caught on the wing. 



It is often confused with the Night Hawk, but is quite 

 distinct, being recognized by its brown and buff coloration, 

 instead of black and white and by the long bristles at the 

 base of the bill, which are wanting in the Night Hawk. 



Whistler. See American Golden- eye. 



. Length, from nineteen to twenty-two 

 inches; extent, from twenty- six to thirty inches; bill, one 

 and two-fifths inches, slate colored; the crown is white or 

 buff in the middle, the sides being a glossy green, 

 sprinkled with black; cheeks and throat, yellowish white, 

 with fine black bars; back, grayish brown, with narrow 

 wavy black bars; belly, white; sides, very light bay, with 

 narrow wavy black lines; tail, pointed, brownish ash; 

 wings, brownish ash, with white patch near the shoulder 

 and a large glossy green spot. The eggs number from 

 seven to twelve, are of a cream color, and two by one and 

 a half inches in size. The birds breed north of the United 

 States and spend the winter in Cuba and Guatemala. 

 They occur in New Jersey from the latter part of October 



