AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 129 



HABITS. 



Throughout the United States and the southern portions of Canada, 

 the Nighthawk is a familiar object of interest to nearly everyone who 

 is at all interested in bird life. If he is not known by his legitimate 

 name of Nighthawk, he is apt to be familiar under the cognomen of 

 "Bull-bat," or "Mosquito Hawk." Not infrequently, too, he is con- 

 fused with the entirely different but somewhat similar appearing bird, 

 the Whip-poor-will, and innocently goes under the assumed name of 

 this bird. 



Woods, open fields, prairies, or even city life are acceptable to this 

 species. During the summer months, large numbers of them may be 

 seen about the larger cities, as at nightfall they start out on their daily 

 trip after food. From all directions come the answering cries, given in 

 a peevish, unmusical tone, "Spee-ek, spee-ek," a harsh, monotonous 

 note that from long familiarity is apt to grow wearisome. Grace and 

 skill are evident in their every movement as they wend their tortuous 

 way across the sky, pursuing the course that is most thickly strewn with 

 insect life. Imagine the horror of the winged insects when they see 

 that gaping mouth following relentlessly in their wake. There is no 

 escape for them, but they can perhaps console themselves with the 

 unsatisfactory thought that they are furnishing renewed energy that the 

 swift winged hawkers may more vigorously pursue their career of 

 devastation, that results so beneficiently for mankind. 



The name Nighthawk does not imply that these birds fly only in the 

 night, in fact more of them are on the wing in the day time than at 

 night. In order that the name might have a literal meaning they might 

 more appropriately be called dusk-fliers. Early in the morning, just 

 after sun-down, and on cloudy days, you will see nighthawks in action 

 of their own accord. At other times if one is seen, it is generally some 

 belated traveller returning to his home or one that has been disturbed 

 from his chosen retreat and obliged to seek his safety in flight. 



They are sociable birds when on the wing and nearly always do their 

 hunting in small bands. From their activity and the number of times 

 the band will circle about a field or near some pond any one would 

 imagine that few insects could be left within their precincts. Now one 

 will scale across our view with all the ease and grace of a swallow; 

 another pursues the same course with rapid wing beats after the man- 

 ner of the small hawks. Just before the nesting season is when their 

 activity is most apparent. It is at this time that the often related 

 "downward rush of the Nighthawk" takes place. From time to time 

 as a band of these long-winged hunters are diligently pursuing their 

 search, one of their number having secured a position somewhat more 



