THE BIRD BOOK 
Poor-will 
Merrill’s Paraque 
Range.— United States west of the Missis- 
sippi, breeding from Kansas and northern Cal- 
ifornia northward to Montana and British Co- 
lumbia. 
This handsome species 
is the smallest of the fam- 
ily, being under 8 inches 
in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty 
gray, harmoniously blended together. They can easily be 
distinguisned from all other Goatsuckers by their size and 
silvery appearance. They nest on the ground, either plac- 
ing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a flat rock. 
The breeding season is from the latter part of May through 
pure white and glossy; size 1.00 x .75. 
417a. Stephen’s Whip-poor-will. 
Antrostomus voci ferns macromystax. 
Range.- — Arizona and New Mexico, south 
through the tableland of Mexico. 
This sub-species is slightly larger and has 
longer mouth bristles than the eastern bird. 
Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs 
differ only in averaging lighter in color, with 
fainter markings, some specimens being almost 
immaculate. 
418. Poor-will. Phalcenoptilus nuttnlli 
nuttalli. 
White 
July. The eggs are 
418a. Frosted Poor-will. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli nitidus. 
Range. -Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas. 
This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below. Eggs indis- 
tinguishable from those of others of the genus. 
41 Sb. Dusky Poor-will. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli calif or nicus. 
Range. — A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same nest- 
ing habits as the others. 
The egg figured is of this species. Data. — Los Angeles, Cal., June 24, 1900. 
2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a hill. Collector, 
F. M. Palmer. 
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