NIGHTHAWK 135 



whiteoak — chip out o' whiteoak," which I think 

 more accurate than the commonly accepted 

 ChuckwilPs Widow. The mouth of this bird is 

 enormous, gaping about two inches across from 

 corner to corner, so that the largest night-moths 

 and even small birds may be eaten. If one 

 extends a hand gently to pick up this queer crea- 

 ture, it is apt to rely on its protective coloring 

 for safety and, I verily believe, on a certain re- 

 semblance to a snake; for instead of making a 

 wild struggle to escape it merely shuffles sidewise 

 a little, and opens its mouth to emit a hissing 

 noise and a disgusting odor. 



Both birds are peculiar in the shape of the 

 large dark eyes, in velvety, rotten-wood, mottled 

 grayish brown colors, and in having wings devel- 

 oped at the expense of the feet. They can cling 

 to a perch, but the walk is a clumsy shuffle. 



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"Bullbats" we commonly call them, as we 

 look up at sunset to watch them flying over, not 

 too high' to be identified by the white spot on 

 each of those long, swift, oar-like wings. "Peent, 

 peent," they cry, then suddenly dive through the 

 air and turn, making a hollow, booming sound 

 by means of the large wing-feathers. 



Above the river where insects abound, above 

 the woods and fields, even above the city streets 



