The Poovwills 



Recognition Marks. — Strictly towhee size, but appearing larger; smaller than a 

 Nighthawk, which it superficially resembles in coloration. Poorwill cry heard a 

 hundred times to once the bird is seen. Paler than calif ornicus ; darker than nitidus. 



Nesting. — Eggs: 2; laid upon the bare ground; pure white (or with a faint 

 pinkish tinge when fresh); oval to blunt elliptical-oval in shape. Av. size 25.2 x 19 

 (.99 x .75). Season: c. June 1st; one brood. 



Range of Phalanoptilns nuttalli. — Western North America from the plains to 

 California and from south-central British Columbia, south in winter to central Mexico. 



Range of P. n. nuttalli. — That of the species minus the Pacific Coast district, 

 broadly, and the southern portion of summer range (roughly Kansas to southeastern 

 California). 



Distribution in California. — Summer resident of Upper Sonoran and Tran- 

 sition areas east of the Sierras, from Death Valley northward, and through the northern 

 counties west at least to Yreka, Siskiyou County. Winters in the southern portion of 

 its range and irregularly southward over the deserts and in the valley of the Colorado. 



Authorities. — Cooper {Antrostomus Nuttalli), Orn. Calif., 1870, p. 341 (mts., 

 west of Colo. Valley) ; Fisher, N. Am. Fauna, no. 7. 1893, p. 51 (localities in s. e. Calif.) ; 

 Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., vol. xii., 1914, p. 139 (Colo. Valley; occurrence, 

 habits, crit.). 



No. 207a Frosted Poorwill 



A. 0. U. No. 418a. Phalsenoptilus nuttalli nitidus Brewster. 



Synonym. — Brewster's Poorwill. 



Description. — Similar to P. n. nuttalli, but paler throughout and a little smaller; 

 the upper plumage decidedly paler and more blended; the black markings on scapulars, 

 etc., much reduced, sometimes barely enlarged centrally. Length (skins) 182 (7.17); 

 wing 133.8 (5.27); tail 80.2 (3.16). 



Remarks. — This form, disallowed by Ridgway, appears to be clearly established 

 by a series of specimens obtained by Grinnell in the Colorado River Valley in the spring 

 of 1910. Although typical nuttalli was also present at the same time, Mr. Grinnell 

 decided, upon dissection, that the resident breeding form was nitidus, and that nuttalli 

 was a winter visitant only. 



Range of P. n. nitidus. — Breeding from western Kansas south to Coahuila and 

 west to southeastern Colorado, Lower California east of the central mountains, and in 

 the Cape San Lucas region. Resident in the southern portion of its range. 



Distribution in California. — Resident in the Colorado River valley and on the 

 Lower Sonoran deserts of southeastern California. 



Authorities. — Brewster, Auk, vol. iv., 1887, p. 147 (orig. desc. ; Nueces River, 

 Texas) ; Bendire, Life Hist. N. Am. Birds, vol. ii., 1895, p. 157 (Death Valley) ; Bishop, 

 Condor, vol. vii., 1905, p. 142 (Witch Creek, San Diego Co.); Grinnell, Univ. Calif. 

 Pub. Zool., vol. xii., 1914, p. 139 (Colo. Valley, occurrence, meas., crit.). 



No. 207b Dusky Poorwill 



A. O. U. No. 418b. Phalsenoptilus nuttalli californicus Ridgway. 



Synonym. — California Poorwill. 



Description. — Adult: Similar to P. n. nuttalli, but darker; the black markings 

 of scapulars, etc., larger; the black bars of underparts broader, the dusky element in 



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