CHUCK- WILL'S- WID OW. 3 1 



zontally, and thus enabling the creature to pass with the 

 greatest ease between the laminse of feathers ; the wings were 

 single, of a' dark amber colour, and twice as long as the body, 

 which widened towards the extremity, where it was slightly in- 

 dented ; feet, two clawed. 



This insect lived for several days between the crystal and 

 dial-plate of a watch carried in the pocket ; but being placed 

 for a few minutes in the sun, fell into convulsions and died. 



CHUCK- WILL'S- WIDOW. (Caprimulgus Carolinensis.) 



PLATE LIV.— Fig. 2. 



PeaWs Museum, No. 7723. 

 CAPRIMULGUS CAROLINENSIS.— Brisson.* 



Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Lath. Gen. Hist. — Caprimulgus rufus, Vieill. (auct. 

 Bonap.) Bonap. Synop. p. 61. — Ckuck-will's-widow, Aud. pi. 52, male 

 and female ; Orn. Biog. i. p. 273. 



This solitary bird is rarely found to the north of James 

 River, in Virginia, on the sea-board, or of Nashville, in the 



* According to Mr Audubon, this species, when disturbed or annoyed 

 about the nest, removes its eggs or young to a distance. This circum- 

 stance seems known to the negroes and American farmers, who give 

 various accounts of the mode in which it is performed. Mr Audubon 

 could not satisfy himself as to the truth of these accounts, and resolved 

 to watch and judge for himself. What follows is the result of his 

 observation : — 



" When the chuck-will's-widow, either male or female (for each sits 

 alternately), has discovered that the eggs have been touched, it ruffles 

 its feathers, and appears extremely dejected for a minute or two, after 

 which it emits a low murmuring cry, scarcely audible to me, as I lay 

 concealed at a distance of not more than eighteen or twenty yards. At 

 this time, I have seen the other parent reach the spot, flying so low 

 over the ground, that I thought its little feet must have touched it as 

 it skimmed along, and after a few low notes and some gesticulations, 

 all indicative of great distress, take an egg in its large mouth, the 

 other bird doing the same, when they would fly off together, skimming 

 closely over the ground, until they disappeared among the branches 

 and trees." — Ed. 



