68 



NIGHT-HAWK. 



The Night-hawk is a bird of strong and vigorous flight, and of 

 large volume of wing. It often visits the city, darting and squeak- 

 ing over the streets at a great height, diving perpendicularly with 

 the same hollow sound as before described. I have also seen them 

 sitting on chimney tops in some of the most busy parts of the city, 

 occasionally uttering their common note. 



When the weather happens to be wet and gloomy, the Night- 

 hawks are seen abroad at all times of the day, generally at a con- 

 siderable height; their favorite time, however, is from two hours 

 before sun-set until dusk. At such times they seem all vivacity, 

 darting about in the air in every direction, making frequent short 

 sudden turnings, as if busily engaged in catching insects. Even in 

 the hottest, clearest weather, they are occasionally seen abroad, 

 squeaking at short intervals. They are also often found sitting 

 along the fences, basking themselves in the sun. Near the sea- 

 shore, in the vicinity of extensive salt marshes, they are likewise 

 very numerous, skimming over the meadows, in the manner of 

 Swallows, until it is so dark that the eye can no longer follow 

 them. 



When wounded and taken, they attempt to intimidate you by 

 opening their mouth to its utmost stretch, throwing the head for- 

 wards, and uttering a kind of guttural whizzing sound, striking 

 also violently with their wings, which seem to be their only of- 

 fensive weapons; for they never attempt to strike with the bill or 

 claws. 



About the middle of August they begin to move oS towards 

 the south ; at which season they may be seen almost every evening, 

 from five o'clock until after sun-set, passing along the Schuylkill 

 and the adjacent shores, in widely scattered multitudes, all steer- 

 ing towards the south. I have counted several hundreds within 

 sight at the same time, dispersed through the air, and darting after 

 insects as they advanced. These occasional processions continue 

 for two or three weeks; none are seen travelling in the opposite 



