308 LAND-BIRDS. 



and other small insects that may be lurking there. Its flight 

 is so light and noiseless, that whilst it is passing within a few 

 feet of a person, the motion of its wings is not heard by him, 

 and merely produces a gentle undulation in the air. During 

 all this time, it utters a low murmuring sound, by which 

 alone it can be discovered in the dark, when passing within a 

 few yards of one, and which I have often heard when walking 

 or riding through the barrens at night." The young run 

 about much like young Partridges. 



d. The most characteristic note of these birds is a loud 

 whistle, which resembles more or less distinctly the syllables 

 whip-poor-will. It is said to be never repeated, except after 

 dark, and when the birds are perched, as on a fence or roof. 

 It is most commonly heard in June, and is usually preceded 

 by a click, as if produced by a snapping of the bill. The other 

 notes of the Whippoorwills are low, sweet whistles (whit, 

 whit, whit^ and occasionally a rather harsh and guttural chat- 

 ter. Mr. Nuttall says that the young have a low, mournful 

 pe-ugh. It is probable, at least in New England, that few or 

 no superstitions are now attached to these birds. 



II. CHORDEILES. 



A. viRGiNiANUS. Wight "Hawk." "Bull-hat." A 

 common summer resident throughout New England.* 



a. About nine inches long. Tail, forked. Variously mot- 

 tled, or variegated. ^ , with a white, and 5 , with a reddish, 

 throat-patch. ^ , with both a white wing-patch and white 

 tail-spots. 



b. The eggs, of which two are here laid about the first of 

 June, are dropped upon rocks, upon the groimd, or occasion- 

 ally upon a flat roof. They have been found variously in 

 cities, pastures, fields, and woods. They are elliptical, aver- 

 age about 1.25 X .85 of an inch, and are light gray, or brown, 



* Although the Night Hawk hreeds dom or nerer seen excepting dnring 



throughout New England, it is a hird migration. As a rule, it nests on the 



of somewhat local distrihntion, espe- sides or summits of bare rocky hills 



cially in Massachusetts and to the or ledges remote from the habitations 



southward, where, throughout many of man. — W. B. 

 areas of considerable extent, it is sel- 



