242 
NIGHT-HAWK. 
mined on. This is sometimes in an open space in the woods, frequently 
in a ploughed field, or in the corner of a corn-field. The eggs arc 
placed on the hare ground ; in all cases on a dry situation, where the 
color of the leaves, ground, stones or other circumjacent parts of the 
surface may resemble the general tint of the eggs, and thereby render 
them less easy to be discovered. The eggs are most commonly two, 
rather oblong, equally thick at both ends, of a dirty bluish white, and 
marked with innumerable touches of dark olive brown. To the imme- 
diate neighborhood of this spot the male and female confine themselves, 
roosting on the high trees adjoining, during the greater part of the day, 
seldom, however, together, and almost always on separate trees. They 
also sit lengthwise on the branch, fence or limb on which they roost, 
and never across, like most other birds ; this seems occasioned by the 
shortness and slender form of their legs and feet, which are not at all 
calculated to grasp the branch with sufficient firmness to balance their 
bodies. 
As soon as incubation commences, the male keeps a most vigilant 
watch around. He is then more frequently seen playing about in the 
air over the place, even during the day, mounting by several quick 
vibrations of the wings, then a few slower, uttering all the while a sharp 
harsh squeak, till having gained the highest point, he suddenly precipi- 
tates himself, head foremost, and with great rapidity, down sixty or 
eighty feet, wheeling up again as suddenly ; at which instant is heard 
a loud booming sound, very much resembling that produced by blowing 
strongly into the bung hole of an empty hogshead ; and which is doubt- 
less produced by the sudden expansion of his capacious mouth, while 
he passes through the air, as exhibited in the figure on the plate. He 
again mounts by alternate quick and leisurely motions of the wings, 
playing about as he ascends, uttering his usual hoarse squeak, till in a 
few minutes he again dives with the same impetuosity and violent sound 
as before. Some are of opinion that this is done to intimidate man or 
beast from approaching his nest, and he is particularly observed to re- 
peat these divings most frequently around those who come near the spot, 
sweeping down past them, sometimes so near, and so suddenly, as to 
startle and alarm them. The same individual is, however, often seen 
performing these manoeuvres over the river, the hill, the meadow and 
the marsh in the space of a quarter of an hour, and also towards the 
fall, when he has no nest. This singular habit belongs peculiarly to the 
male. The female has, indeed, the common hoarse note, and much the 
same mode of flight ; but never precipitates herself in the manner of 
the male. During the time she is sitting, she will suffer you to approach 
within a foot or two before she attempts to stir, and when she does, it is 
in such a fluttering, tumbling manner, and with such appearance of a 
lame and wounded bird, as nine times in ten to deceive the person, and 
