126 



SUBKIWGDOil VEKTBBEATA. 



Caprimulgidae (goat-suckers). — 

 The Night Haivl-* notwithstanding 



Fig. SOO, 



Fig. mo. 



Fig. 311. 



ijlwi deUes pqpetue, Night Hawk J 



its popular name, retires to rest at - jt'^ 



the close of twilight, when it can no Ceryle aleyon, 



kT -J, • J. I Ti Belted KiDtf -fisher, y. 



nger discern its insect prey.f Its 



sharp squeak is occasionally varied by a loud, booming 

 sound, emitted when its downward flight is arrested during a 

 swoop near the surface of the earth.;]; Its two eggs are 

 usually laid on a rock or some place exposed to the sun, 



without any nest, though 

 the mother broods them 

 assiduously, fluttering 

 away, when alarmed, as 

 though wounded. If dis- 

 turbed, it will, like the 

 whippoorwill, carry off the 

 eggs or young in its capa^ 

 cious mouth to another 

 locality. The 117/ ippoorivill 

 AntrostSmusmoifirus.'Wh.ipp'^o-cviiw. J. is silent during the day, 



* The Night Hawk and Whippoorwill are commonly believed to be identical. They 

 are really, however, distinct not only in color markings, hut also generically, thus : 



PAPRIMl II nn>f $ r.APE WITHOUT BRISTLES. Tail narrow, forked : Night Hawh. 



L,«rKIIVlUHjlU/C. J (i,>pE WITH BRISTLES. Tail Ijroad, rounded ; WliippoorwiU. 



t Its singular habit of perching lengthwise on a limb or rail is well known ; but in 

 confinement it often perches across a finger, or the back of a chair. 



X The former sound is produced by its vocal organs; the latter, by a quick, 

 vibrating motion of Ihe wiugs. 



