AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 329 



Though the Night Jar can boast of no brilliant plumage, yet there 

 are certain rich markings— a harmonious blending of colors— black, 

 brown and a suggestion of yellow. The abnormally large head, half 

 hawk-like beak and the large, beautiful eyes, with their soft, touching, 

 melancholy expression, are distinguishing features that attract and 

 elicit admiration. 



The Night Jar expends neither time or labor in building its nest. It 

 is even more careless than the mournful cooing dove in this respect. 

 The eggs are deposited any where an the ground, generally in some 

 little hollow or slight depression. Two eggs are usually laid; but very 

 rarely more than that number. The eggs are of a dark greenish color, 

 and may be readily taken for speckled pebbles, unless closely inspect- 

 ed. From two weeks to 20 days are required in the incubating process. 

 The female never deserts the nest, unless in quest of food. She seems 

 to be entirely alone during the hatching period, for I have never yet 

 seen the male in attendance, or show any domestic disposition. 



If one comes suddenly upon the bird when she is setting, it is with 

 the greatest reluctance that she will desert her post. One may 

 approach within a few feet — nay even almost place a hand on the 

 mother bird. Only as a last extremity will she desert her charge. She 

 will look at one with her great liquid eyes with such an appealing ex- 

 pression, hovering and fluttering, meantime, around her eggs or callow 

 brood, as if begging the intruder not to harm them. 



Should anyone discover the Night Jar in the vicinity of her nest, 

 without having seen the latter, the bird will instantly resort to strategy 

 to lead |the person away. Many times have I had such an experience. 

 Knowing the bird's cunning deception, I have often "humored" her 

 trick, following closely in the halting, fluttering walk. She would move 

 in all directions, almost under my very feet at times, making frantic 

 struggles as if badly crippled. However, the bird was too wise and 

 too quick to ever allow me to put my hands on her. 



If followed persistently, the Night Jar will lead one away from-the 

 nest for what she considers a safe distance. Then suddenly she will 

 take wing and soar away, but never in the direction of eggs or brood_ 



I have often paid no attention to the bird's efforts to decoy me away 

 but would remain near the spot looking for the nest. These tactics 

 would make the mother all the more frantic. Sometimes she would 

 fly almost directly into my face to make me desist, and in various 

 other ways seek to direct my attention to herself. 



Occasionally I have tenderly picked up the young and held them for 

 a few moments in my hands. Such actions never failed to greatly ex- 

 cite the mother. She would flutter wildly all about my head, uttering 



