BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 127 



ALCEDINID.E, — The Kingfishers. 



118. Ceryle alcyon, Boie. — Belted Kingfisher. Com- 

 mon summer resident. Breeds. Frequents the neighbor- 

 hood of streams and ponds. Arrives from March 21st to 

 April 11th : remains iuto November; but I never have 

 seen it in winter, at which time it may rarely occur. 



CAPRIMULGID.E,— The Goatsuckers. 



119. Antrostomus vociferus, Boie. — Whippoor- 

 will. Common in the wild districts, where its rapid but in- 

 describably mournful notes may be heard in the evening 

 twilight. It also sings in the early dawn. Arrives from 

 May 19th to 24th. Breeds, nesting on the ground. 



120. Chordeiles popetue, Baird. — Night-Hawk. 

 " Bull Bat." Common summer resident. Breeds, nest- 

 ing on the ground. Arrives from April 7th to May 23d. 

 Much more diurnal in its habits than the preceding, often 

 seen flying about at midday. By the latter part of August 

 it migrates in large, straggling flocks, moving day and 

 night. While at rest in the daytime, it usually sits lon- 

 gitudinally upon a large limb of a tree ; the peculiar struct- 

 ure of its feet rendering it impossible for it to clasp the 

 limb and sit transversely, as is usual with other birds. 



CYPSEL1D.E,— The Swifts. 



121. Chaetura pelasgia, Steph. — Chimney Swift, 

 " Chimney Swallow." Abundant summer resident. Breeds, 

 nesting in unused flues in chimneys. Arrives from May 

 1st to 11th ; have seen it as late as September 14th. 



