THE BIRD BOOK 
420. Nighthawk. Chor'd- 
eiles virginianus vir- 
ginianus. 
Range. — North America, 
east of the Plains and from 
Labrador to the Gulf of Mex- 
ico; winters through Mexico 
to northern South America. 
The Nighthawk or some of 
its sub-species is found in 
nearly all parts of North 
America, its habits being the 
same in all localities. It is 
Grayish white 
of the same size as the Whip- 
poor-will, from which species 
it can readily be distinguish- 
ed by its lack of mouth bris- 
tles, forked tail with a white 
band near the end, and the 
white band across the primar- 
ies, the latter mark showing 
very plainly during flight. Be- 
sides in the country, they are 
very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk 
flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon 
the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on 
rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat 
rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with 
darker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85. 
Nighthawk 
420a. Western Nighthawk. Chordeiles vir- 
ginianus henryi. 
Range.- — United States west of the Plains. 
A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage 
somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open 
portions of the country in its range, its habits and 
nesting habits being the same as others of the former 
species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color. 
Grayish white 
420b. Florida Nighthawk. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani. 
Range. — A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast. 
No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the 
northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable. 
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