( 273 ). 



THE NIGHT-HAWK. 



Caprimulgus virginianus, Briss. 



PLATE CXLVII. Male and Female. 



The name of this bird disagrees with the most marked characteristics 

 of its habits, for it may be seen, and has frequently been seen, on the 

 wing, during the greater part of the day, even when the atmosphere is 

 perfectly pure and clear, and while the sun is shining in all its glory. It 

 is equally known that the Night-Hawk retires to rest shortly after dusk, 

 at the very time when the loud notes of the Whip-poor-will, or those of 

 the Chuck- wilPs-widow, both of which are nocturnal ramblers, are heard 

 echoing from the places to which these birds resort. 



About the 1st of April, the Night-Hawk makes its appearance in the 

 lower parts of Louisiana, on its way eastward. None of them breed in 

 that State, or in that of Mississippi, nor I am inclined to believe any 

 where south of the neighbourhood of Charleston, in South Carolina. 

 The species is, however, seen in all the Southern States, on its passage to 

 and from those of the east. The Night-Hawks pass with so much com- 

 parative swiftness over Louisiana in the spring, that in a few days after 

 their first appearance none are to be seen ; nor are any to be found there 

 until their return in autumn, when, on account of the ample supply of 

 food they still meet with at this late season, they remain several weeks, 

 gleaning the insects off the cotton fields, waste lands, or sugar planta- 

 tions, and gambolling over the prairies, lakes or rivers, from morning till 

 night. Their return from the Middle Districts varies according to the 

 temperature of the season, from the 15th of August to late in October. 



Their migrations are carried on over so great an extent, and that so 

 loosely, that you might conceive it their desire to glean the whole coun- 

 try, as they advance with a front extending from the mouths of the Mis- 

 sissippi to the Rocky Mountains, passing in this manner from the south 

 far beyond our eastern boundary lines. Thus they are enabled to dis- 

 perse and breed throughout the whole Western and Eastern States, from 

 South Carolina to Maine. On their way they may be seen passing over 

 our cities and villages, alighting on the trees that embellish our streets, 



VOL. II. s 



