OF VIRGINIA 169 
the shades of evening gather in the woods, this night 
songster commences his sharp piercing ery of “Whip-poor- 
will,” repeated generally three times without stopping. 
Across some open field in another piece of woods comes 
the answering cry, or from the depths of the same piece. 
The further away, the more pleasing the notes to the ear. 
Unlike the preceding species, they do not keep it up so 
late, ten to eleven o’clock finds the woods still except for 
the cry of the owl or Chuck-will’s-widow. These birds 
do not winter with us, arriving the first week in April and 
departing about August 23rd to 28th. No nest is made, 
the eggs being deposited on leaves or pine needles in a 
slightly open space in thick woods. Fresh eggs May 10th 
to 20th. Only two eggs are laid, a glossy, grayish-white ; 
blotched, specked and sparingly lined with a pale brown, 
dark gray, and lilac. Size, 1.50x.85. They are not an 
abundant bird with us, though not rare; more often heard 
than seen, as they are hard to flush in the daytime, even 
when sitting on their eggs. Only one brood a season. 
Their food is similar to that of the Chuck-will’s-widow, 
most of which is taken while in flight, and at night. 
GENUS CHORDEILES. 
[420]. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus (Gmelin). 
Nighthawk. 
[Bullbat. Night-Jar. Goatsucker]. 
Ranez.—North and South America. Breeds from 
southern Yukon, central Mackenzie, central Keewatin, 
northern Quebee, and Newfoundland south to northern 
parts of Gulf States and west to edge of plains from 
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