NIGHT-HAWK. 275 



gins anew this curious mode of courtship. The concussion caused, at 

 the time the bird passes the centre of its plunge, by the new position 

 of its wings, which are now brought almost instantly to the wind, like 

 the sails of a ship suddenly thrown aback, is the cause of this singular 

 noise. The female does not produce this, although she frequently squeaks 

 whilst on the wing. 



Sometimes, when several males are paying their addi'esses to the 

 same female, the sight of those beaux plunging through the air in different 

 directions, is curious and highly entertaining. This play is quickly over, 

 however, for no sooner has the female made her choice, than her approved 

 gives chase to all intruders, drives them beyond his dominions, and re- 

 turns with exultation, plunging and gambolling on the wing, but with 

 less force, and without nearing the ground. 



In windy weather, and as the dusk of the evening increases, the Night- 

 Hawk flies lower and more swiftly than ever, making wide and irregular 

 deviations from its general course, to overtake an insect which its keen 

 eye has seen at a distance, after which it continues onward as before. 

 When darkness comes on, it alights either on the ground or on a tree, 

 where it spends the night, now and then uttering its squeak. 



These birds can scarcely walk on the ground, on account of the small 

 size and position of their legs, which are placed very far back, for which 

 reason they cannot stand erect, but rest their breast on the ground, or on 

 the branch of a tree, on which they are obliged to alight sidewise. They 

 alight with ease, however, and squat on branches or fence-rails, now and 

 then on the tops of houses or barns. In all such positions they are easily 

 approached. I have neared them when on a fence or low wall to within 

 a few feet, when they would look upon me with their large mild eyes more 

 as a friend than an enemy, although they flew off the moment they ob- 

 served any thing suspicious in my movements. They now and then 

 squeak while thus seated, and when this happens when they are perched 

 on the trees of our cities, they seldom fail to attract the attention of 

 persons passing. 



In Louisiana this species is called by the French Creoles " Crapaud 

 volant,"" in Virginia " Bai ,•■" but the name by which it is most commonly 

 known is " Night-Hawl:.'''' The beauty and rapidity of its motions ren- 

 der it a tempting object to sportsmen generally, and its flesh is by no 

 means unpalatable. Thousands are shot on their return to the south 

 during the autumn, when they are fat and juicy. Now and then at this 



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