408 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



El Paso, Mr. Clark saw tlu'se birds congregated in <iich quantities over a 

 niud-liole from wliicli wero issuing myriads of insects, tiuit he felt that the 

 discharge among tliem of mustard-seed shot would involve a wanton destruc- 

 tion. This species is not known, according to his account, to make a swoop 

 in the manner of tlie common species. It does not utter the same hoarse 

 sounds, nor does it ever liy so high. 



Among the notes of the late Dr. Uerlandier, of Mataraora.", we find refer- 

 ences to this species, to which he gives the common name of Pauraque, and 

 in his collection of eggs are many that lUKjuestionably are those of this 

 bird, and which are, in all respects but size, in close athnity to the eggs of 

 the common Night-lLawk. These eggs measure 1.18 inches in length by 

 .87 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color, seen througii a magnifying 

 glass, is of clear crystal whiteness, but is so closely covered by overlaying 

 markings as not to be discernible to the eye. They are marked over tiie entire 

 surface with small irregular confluent spots and blotches, which are a blend- 

 ing of black, umber, and purplish-gray markings. Tiiese combinations give 

 to the egg the ai)pearance of a piece of polished marble of a dark gray color. 

 They are both smaller and of a lighter color than those of the common 

 eastern bird. 



Genus ANTROSTOMTJS, (Iould. 



Anlrostoimts, UoL'U>, Icones Avium, 1838. (Tyi*, Cupriimtlgus carolinemis, Gm.) 



Ukn. CiiAU. Bill very .<inall, with tubular nostrils, ami the i;apo with long, stiff, sonio- 

 times pectinated bristles projecting beyond the end of the bill. Tarsi niodi'i'iitc, partly 



feathered above. Tail broad, round- 

 yr^'^ ed ; wings broad and rounded; first 

 ^-» q\iill siiorter than third ; phnnage soft 

 and lax. Habit noeturnal. 



In what the genus Antrostoinus 

 rctally diH'ers frcin C<(pnmulyHs 

 proper, we are quite unable to 

 say, as in the many variations 

 of form of both New and Old 

 World sjiecies of these two di 

 visions respectively, it is said to 

 be not difficult to find species iu 

 each, almost identical in form. In the want of suitable material for com- 

 parison, we shall follow Sclater in using AiUrostomas for the New World 

 species. 



Antrnslomus nuttal'i 



