574 AVES—NIGHT HAWK. 
THE NIGHT HAWKEK.1 
T'ns bird is called a bat in some of the southern states. It is cy many 
supposed to be the same bird as the whip-poor-will; but on comparing the 
two birds, the difference between them will be easily observed, and their 
manners also are strikingly dissimilar. The night hawk lays its eggs on 
the bare ground, in an open space in the woods, or in the corner of a field, 
where the color of the leaves and ground may resemble the general tint of 
the eggs. The male and female are constantly near the nest during the day. 
They sit lengthwise on the branch of a tree, instead of crosswise, like most 
other birds, their legs and feet being too slender to grasp the branch firmly. 
While the female is sitting, the male keeps a most vigilant watch around. 
He plays about in the air, mounting by several quick vibrations of the wing, 
uttering all the while a sharp harsh squeal, till, having gained the highest 
point, he suddenly precipitates himself head foremost, and with great 
rapidity, down sixty or seventy feet, wheeling up as suddenly; at which 
instant is heard a booming sound, resembling that produced by blowing 
strongly into the bunghole of an empty hogshead; and which is doubtless 
produced by the sudden expansion of his capacious mouth, while he passes 
through the air. This singular habit belongs only to the male. The female 
never descends in the manner of the male. When she is approached, she 
moves in such a fluttering tumbling manner, and appearance of a lame and 
wounded bird, as nine times in ten to deceive the person, and induce him to 
pursue her. When the young are first hatched, it is difficult to distinguish 
them from the surface of the ground; they sit so fixed and squat as to be 
mistaken for a slight moulding on the earth. 
These birds are seen abroad at all times of the day; but their most favo- 
rite time is from two hours before sunset till dusk. They are very numerous 
— 
1 Caprimulgus Americanus, WiLson 
