416 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



fallen log. There they deposit two eggs, elli])tieal in sliaiie. Their young 

 wlien first hatched, are perfectly helpless, and their safety largely depends' 

 upon their great similarity to small jnijces of mouldy earth. They grow 

 rai)idly, and are soon able to follow their mother and to partially care for 

 themselves. 



The egg of tlie Whippoorwill has a strong family resemblance to those 

 of both species of Euroi)ean Vaprimuhji, and is a complete nuniature of that 

 of A. mrolincmis. In shape it is oblong and oval, equally obtuse at either 

 end. Resembling the egg of the Chuck-will's Widow, it is yet more notice- 

 able for the purity of its colors and the beauty of their contrast. The ground- 

 color is a clear and pure shade of cream-white. The whole egg is irre<ni- 

 larly spotted and marl)led with lines and patches of purplish -lavender, 

 mingled witli reddisIi-l)rown. The former are fainter, and as if partially 

 obscured, the brown usually much more distinct. The eggs measure 1.25 

 incites in length by .88 of an inch in breadth. Wilson's account of its egg 

 is wholly inaccurate. 



In the extreme Southern States these eggs are deposited in April, in 

 Virginia and Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and farther north not 

 until early in June. Tiie young are hatched and able to care for themselves 

 during July, but, with the female, rarely leave the woods. The notes of tlie 

 male are once more occasionally heard in August. Mr. Allen has heard 

 them late in September, but I have never happened to notice their cries 

 later than August. 



Mr. Nuttall states that the young of these birds, at an early age, run about 

 with remarkable celerity, and that they utter, at short intervals a i^^-ugh, 

 in a low mournful tone. Tlieir food appears to consist of various kinds of' 

 nocturnal insects, besides ants, grasshoppers, and other kinds not nocturnal, 

 frequenting decaying wood and shady thickets. 



^4V, 



""<^. 



Left foot of AntroHomus voci/erus. Left foot of Ngctilriu, janmUemis. 



