GOATSUCKERS, HUMMING-BIRDS, ETC. 237 



often but a few feet above the surface of the ground. In 

 this habit it differs from the nighthawk, which, hke the 

 swifts, seeks its food high in the air. Now and then it rests, 

 perching on old logs or fences, from which it will launch 

 forth in pursuit of prey which its keen eyes have sighted. 

 During the day it roosts in hollow trees or upon a large limb 

 in some densely shaded spot. 



It does not attempt to build a nest. The two dull-white 

 eggs are laid upon the ground or upon leaves in some 

 secluded place in woods or thickets. It is said that this bird, 

 when disturbed at its rest, will remove either its eggs or the 

 young, as the case may be, to a place of safety by carrying 

 them in its mouth. 



WHIP-POOR-WILL 



The Goatsuckers are inhabitants of both hemispheres. 

 Whip-poor-wills breed practically from Virginia northward 

 to the southern portions of Canada and westward across 

 central United States to the states bordering the plains. 

 Another species of goatsucker, the poor-will, inhabits the 

 great plains and mountainous region to the Pacific Coast. 

 The largest of the family, chuck-will's-widow, occurs in the 

 South Atlantic States. 



No order among the feathered tribe shows a greater 

 expanse of mouth. The insectivorous food is caught on the 

 wing. The lining of the mouth and throat is sufficiently 

 adhesive to hold the moths and other insects which they 

 capture on the wing. 



We see the nighthawk and hear the whip-poor-will. 

 Anyone who has not heard the notes of this bird may never 



