298 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
the Whippoorwill. They z move through the air very irregularly, 
and often change their course at nearly every flapping of their 
wings, as they dart about in the search of the winged insects 
upon which they feed. They fly about freely in the day-time, 
especially if it be cloudy, but they are generally rather silent 
in very sunny weather. They occasionally alight upon the 
ground, and move about, but whether in search of earth or 
insects I am uncertain, probably the former. 
The Night “‘ Hawks” are common summer-residents through- 
out New England, but, according to Mr. Allen,! do not winter 
in Florida, as many Whippoorwills do. They usually reach 
Massachusetts in the earlier part of May, or sometimes, it is 
said, in April. Separate individuals or pairs are not nncom- 
mon, but they may often be seen migrating in companies, con- 
taining even two dozen, for they are more or less gregarious 
throughout the year. They show a fondness for pasture-land, 
and uncultivated districts, though quite common in Boston and 
other cities, where they have been found to lay their eggs on 
flat roofs. They are probably more abundant in northern New 
England than in Massachusetts, in some places forming large 
colonies. Near Wilson’s Mills in Maine, says Mr. Samuels, 
“in the space of every four or five rods, a fémale was sitting 
on her eggs.” Both Wilson and Audubon speak of the female’s 
endeavors, when frightened during incubation, to lead the in- 
truder away by feigning lameness and distress. In this case, 
though less so than with many other birds who build no nest, 
it is difficult to find the eggs. If these latter be left undis- 
turbed when found, they are sometimes removed, very probably ° 
in the capacious mouths of their parents, as Audubon states to 
be the case with the Chuck-will’s-widow. The Night ‘‘ Hawks” 
like the Whippoorwills perch lengthwise, but unlike them fre- 
quently utter their notes on wing. 
(d). Their ordinary note is peculiar and indescribable, 
though I have heard it well imitated by the human mouth. 
It is usually called a loud, harsh squeak, but I know no sounds 
1“ List of the Winter Birds of East Florida, with Annotations.” J. A. Allen. 
