GOATSUCKERS ANIJ- S,WIJ?TS 



419. Merrill's Pahauque. Nyctidromus alhicnllis merrilli. 



Range. — Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in soutliern Texas. 



This species is the same length as the Chucl?-will's-wiflow, hut is not as stoutly 

 built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be dis- 

 tinguished from any other of the family by its tail, 

 the outer feather on each side being black (or brown- 

 ish barred with black in the female), and the next 

 two having white ends for nearly half their length. 

 Their eggs are laid on the ground in open localities, 

 and generally under the protection of an overhang- 

 ing bush. They are two in number and differ greatly 

 from those of any other American member of this 

 family, being a huff or rich salmon buff in color, spot- Salmon buff 



ted and splashed with gray, lavender, and reddish brown; size 1.25 x .90. 

 Data. — Brownsville, Texas, April 16, 1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense 

 thicket. Collector, b'rank B. Armstrong. 



Geo. S. Fiske 



NEST AND EGGR OF WHIP-POOR-WILL 



265 



