THE NORTH AMERICAN GOATSUCKERS. 671 
make their appearance the wonted and necessary place for incu- 
bation is prepared. It cannot, however, be called a nest; as it 
is merely a shallow hole scraped in the ground, in close proximity 
to its accustomed companion, a rock, stump, or fallen tree. The 
eggs are from one to three in number, of a delicate creamy-white 
color, with blotches of different shades of lilac and pale brown: 
they are laid in the early part of May. The young are out by the 
first of June, if not earlier, and are very curious looking little crea- 
tures, covered with a fine down of a yellowish color. As soon as 
they are able to leave the nest, the mother guides them in their 
search for insects until they are able to use their wings. When 
surprised in these excursions, it is amusing to witness with what 
solicitude she hastens to lead them toa safe retreat. But if the 
intruder (especially if a human being) persists in following, and 
approaches too closely, she turns off in another direction, feigns 
lameness and incapability of flight, flutters-along for a few rods 
ahead, and exerts herself to the utmost to allure the interloper 
from her offspring. After having decoyed the stranger, as she 
thinks, a sufficient distance, she suddenly regains her power of 
flight, and darts off to the protection of her helpless progeny. 
This species roosts almost exclusively on the ground, although it 
has occasionally been found upon a tree. When disturbed in the 
daytime it rises as silently as a shadow, and flies off in a confused 
zigzag manner, but immediately settles within a few rods. But 
when the shades of evening advance it comes boldly forth from its 
roosting places in the most invious and secluded parts of the for- 
ests, to search for the night-flying Lepidoptera, of which it destroys 
countless numbers. It is then that we hear its lively whistle in 
Company with the loud, hoarse, guttural h606-h60-h66-h60-é, of 
the great-horned owl (Bubo Virginianus); the quivering-wailing 
cry of the screech owl (Scops asio); the croaking of frogs, and 
the song of the cricket and the katy-did: which form quite a . 
Contrast to the beautiful songs of the thrushes which enliven our 
forests and groves during the day. 
The chuck-will’s-widow (A. Carolinensis Gould) is the largest 
North American species. In its habits and general appearance it 
resembles the common whippoorwill, with which it is generally 
confounded by inexperienced observers. Its range in the United 
tates has usually been supposed to be limited to the south Atlan- 
tic and gulf states, being seldom if ever seen north of the Caro- 
