[ 37 -2 



which had fluttered down the hill so blind and helpless, 

 circling low and swiftly past over my head, showing 

 the white spot on each wing in true nighthawk fashion. 

 When I had gone a dozen rods, it appeared again 

 higher in the air, with its peculiar flitting, limping 

 kind of flight, all the while noiseless, and, suddenly 

 descending, it dashed at me within ten feet of my 

 head, like an imp of darkness, then swept away high 

 over the pond, dashing now to this side now to that, 

 on different tacks, as if, in pursuit of its prey, it 

 had already forgotten its eggs on the earth. I can 

 see how it might easily come to be regarded with 

 superstitious awe. 



Journal, v, 214, 215. 



