WHIP-POOR-WILL 



77 



spotted with very light and dark brown, but are entirely without 

 the large spot of white which distinguishes those of the Night-hawk ; 

 chin black, streaked with brown; a narrow semicircle of white 

 passes across the throat; breast and belly irregularly mottled and 

 streaked with black and yellow ochre ; the legs and feet are of a 

 light purplish flesh color, seamed with white ; the former feathered 

 before, nearly to the feet; the two exterior toes are joined to the 

 middle one as far as the first joint by a broad membrane ; the inner 

 edge of the middle claw is pectinated, and from the circumstance 

 of its being frequently found with small portions of down adhering 

 to the teeth, is probably employed as a comb to rid the plumage 

 of its head of vermin, this being the principal and almost only part 

 so infested in all birds. 



The female is about an inch less in length and in extent; the 

 bill, mustaches, nostrils, &c. as in the male. She differs in being 

 much lighter on the upper parts, seeming as if powdered with grains 

 of meal; and instead of the white on the three lateral tail feathers, 

 has them tipt for about three quarters of an inch with a cream co- 

 lor; the bar across the throat is also of a brownish ochre ; the 

 cheeks and region of the eyes are brighter brownish orange, which 

 passes also to the neck, and is sprinkled with black and specks of 

 white ; the streak over the eye is also lighter. 



The young was altogether covered with fine down of a pale 

 brown color; the shafts or rather sheaths of the quills bluish; the 

 point of the bill just perceptible. 



Twenty species of this singular genus are now known to na- 

 turalists ; of these one only belongs to Europe, one to Africa, one 

 to New Holland, two to India, and fifteen to America. 



The present species, tho it approaches nearer in its plumage 

 to that of Europe than any other of the tribe, differs from it in 

 being entirely without the large spot of white on the wing; and in 

 being considerably less. Its voice, and particular call, are also en- 

 tirely different. 



VOL. V. u 



