I stood watching, she performed all manner of antics in her endeavor to persuade me that she was but 

 a poor cripple at best. She would limp over the ground, with both wings hanging as if broken, and 

 then for a time lie panting as if dying. Finally I gave chase, having first taken the eggs, and was lead 

 some distance into the woods, when, suddenly, my cripple disappeared in the direction of her nest. I at 

 once returned, but she had discovered the robbery and abandoned the cheat. The male did not appear 



■5 



at anv time. 



I have frequently flushed Whip-poor-wills in September and October while Grouse hunting, and 

 several times have encountered quite large flocks, but usually only a single bird is seen at a time. In 

 May and June they are much less numerous than in the fall. During the day they sit about on old 

 logs, on the lower branches of trees, and upon the ground, in the most retired places, apparently sleeping. 

 When flushed they utter no note, but fly off like a bat for a short distance, and alight, If caution 

 is used, one can approach very close at such a time before the bird will again fly. They seldom cry out 

 during the day, unless it is exceptionally dark; but as soon as night comes on they repeat at short inter- 

 vals their notes, which have by some lively imagination been likened to the words whip-poor-will. The 

 sounds, however, bear no closer resemblance to these words than to many others. 



The food of the species consists chiefly of insects, which are captured principally during twilight and 

 dawn. During their search for food the birds leave the woods and fly about over the fields and marshes, 

 and other places where insects abound. I have several times seen old birds feeding their young along 

 the roadside, the young being perched upon the fence or sitting in the road. Their flight is noiseless 

 and uncertain, and even more zigzag than that of the Night Hawk. 



It has been recorded that the Whip-poor-will has the ability to carry off her eggs and young from 

 the nest to a place of safety, when she believes them to have been discovered and are in danger. As 

 improbable as this seems at first thought, I do not doubt it. The evidence is such as can hardly be 

 gainsaved. It is related by Mr. Audubon, that the Chuck-will's widow carries its eggs in its mouth, and 

 it is probable that the Whip-pooi'-will does the same. But whatever the method of transfer, it is quite 

 certain that the eggs and young are at times removed as stated above. 



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