462 CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW. 
venience. A gentleman, who made the experiment, assureu me, that, 
on plunging a live Fish Hawk under water, several of these winged 
ticks remained hovering over the spot, and, the instant the Hawk rose 
above the surface, darted again among his plumage. The experiment 
was several times made, with the like result. As soon, however, as 
these parasites perceive the dead body of their patron beginning to 
become cold, they abandon it; and, if the person who holds it have his 
head uncovered, dive instantly among his hair, as I have myself fre- 
quently experienced; and, though driven from thence, repeatedly re- 
turn, till they are caught and destroyed. There are various kinds of 
these ticks; the one found on the present Hawk is figured beside him. 
The head and thorax were light brown; the legs, six in number, of a 
bright green, their-joints moving almost horizontally, and thus enabling 
the creature to pass with the greatest ease between the lamine of 
feathers; the wings were single, of a dark amber color, and twice as 
long as the body, which widened towards the extremity, where it was 
slightly indented; feet, two clawed. 
This insect lived for several days between the crystal and dial-plate 
of a watch, carried in the pocket ; but, being placed for a few minutes 
in the sun, fell into convulsions and died. 
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.—CAPRIMULGUS CAROLINENSIS. 
—Fie. 214. 
Peale’s Museum, No. 1723. 
CAPRIMULGUS CAR OLINENSIS. — Brisson.* 
bs ate us Carolinensis, Lath. Gen. Hist.—Caprimulgus rufus, Vieill. (auct. 
oe Bonap. Synop. p. 61.— Chuck-will’s-widow, Aud. pl. 52, male and 
female ; Orn. Biog. i. p. 273. 
Tuis solitary bird is rarely found to the north of James River, in 
Virginia, on the seaboard, or of Nashville, in the state of Tennessee, 
in the interior; and no instance has come to my knowledge of its 
having been seen either in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. 
* According to Mr. Audubon, this species, when disturbed or annoyed about the 
nest, removes its eggs or young to a distance. This circumstance seems known to 
the Negroes and American farmers, who give various accounts of the mode in 
which it is performed. Mr. Audubon could not satisfy himself as to the truth of 
these accounts, and resolved to watch and judge for himself. What follows is the 
result of his observation :— 
“ When the Chuck-will’s-widow, either male or female, (for each sits alternately,) 
has discovered that the eggs have been touched, it ruffles its feathers, and appears 
extremely dejected for a minute or two, after which it emits a low, murmuring cry, 
searcely audible to me, as I lav concealed at a distance not more than eighteen or 
twenty yards. At this time, I have seen the other parent reach the spot, flying so 
low over the ground, that I thought its little feet must have touched it, as it skimmed 
along, and after a few low notes and some gesticulations, all indicative of great 
distress, take an egg in its large mouth, the other bird doing the same, when they 
would fly off together, skimming closely over the ground, until they disappeared 
among the branches and trees.”” — Ep. 
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