230 



NIGIITUAWKS, WIIIP-POOIt-WILLS, ETC. 



The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, boats a rolling tattoo in tho 

 spring, but his vocal song i)roper is a rapidly-repoatod, mellow vuh- 

 cuh-tuh-ciih-cuh, etc., as springlike a sound as tlie peeping of frogs. 

 His usual note is a vigorous, nasal ki-e-ycr. It recalls frosty fall morn- 

 ings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodl)ine and 

 I)epperidge berries. Approaching their feeding grounds, one may hear 

 tlie "Flicker" note. It can be closely imitated by tlie swishing of a 

 willow wand: wcechew, weecheio, ivecchew. I never remember hearing 

 a bird utter this note when alone. It is accomi)aiiied by the oddest 

 gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each 

 other. 



•^hV.'j: 



ORDER MACROCHIRES. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, 

 HUMMINGBIRDS, ETC. 



Family Caprimulgid^. Nighthawks, Whip-poor-wills, 



ETC. 



Goatsuckers are found in most parts of the world, but are more 

 numerously represented in the tropics. Some eighty-five species are 

 known, of which about one half are American, though only seven 

 reach North America. Most of the American species are forest-inhal)- 

 iting. passing the day upon the leaves or perched lengthwise upon the 

 branches of trees, where their dull, blended colors harmonize with 

 tlieir surroundings. The Nighthawks, however, are equally at home 

 in treeless countries. Nighthawks feed high in the air, like Swifts, 

 while other species frequent the borders of forests or clearings, where 

 they feed nearer the ground. All the species capture their food of 

 insects on the wing, their enormous mouths and the long, stiffened 

 bristles, which in some species beset its base, especially adapting them 

 to this mode of feeding. ]Many of the si)ecies are possessed of remark- 

 able vocal powers, and their cries are among the most striking of bird 

 notes. 



KKV Tl) T(IK SPECIES. 



A. A wliito spot in the wiiiij. 420. XniiiTUAWK. 4'20('. Fi.ouida Niguthawk. 

 £. No wiiito spot in the winjf ; primaries s^pottud with nifous. 



a. WhiLT uuilcr V'oO 417. Wiiip-I'oor-will. 



b. Whiiif oviT 7"'")0 416. C'iiuck-wili.''s-\vii)()W. 



416. Antrostomus caroMnensis (Omd.). CiirrK-wii,i.\a-winow. 

 Alt. 4. — Upper pints strtiiUfil with l)hu'k and liiu'ly mottled witii ochrai't'oiis- 

 burt'aiul Ijhtck ; primaries l>laok, witii broken rufous bars; tail mottled with 

 l)laek and ocliraceous-burt', the end half of all but the two middle feathers 

 white, more or less washed with bully on tlie inntr vane ; under tmrts mot- 



