16 CAPRIilULGUS VOCIFERUS. 
notions generally entertained of it by the same peopl^ 
These seem as various as the tribes, or even familiw 
with which you converse ; scarcely two of them wn' 
tell you the same story. It is easy, however, to observe 
that this, like the owl and other nocturnal birds, is hel< 
by them in a kind of suspicious awe, as a bird wih 
which they wish to have as little to do as pos^bw 
The superstition of the Indian differs very little frotf 
that of an illiterate German, a Scots Highlander, or thi 
less informed of any other nation. It suggests to 
thousand fantastic notions to each, and these, instead O' 
being recorded with all the punctilio of the most uO 
portant truths, seem only tit to be forgotten. M'hatevet 
among either of these people, is strange and not cout 
preheuded, is usually attributed to supernatural agencj’ 
and an unexpected sight, or uncommon incident, J 
often ominous of good, but more generally of ba 
fortune, to the parties. Night, to minds of this coifl 
plexion, brings with it its kindred horrors, its appa^ 
tions, strange sounds, and awful sights ; and this sohtafj 
and inoffensive bird being a frequent wanderer in thcs< 
hours of ghosts and hobgoblins, is considered by thi- 
Indians as being, by habit and repute, little better that 
one of them. All these people, however, are uot s*. 
credulous : I have conversed with Indians who treate 
these silly notions with contempt. 
The ivhip-poor-will is never seen during the dat 
unless in circumstances such as have been describe 
Their food appears to be large moths, grasshopjiett 
pismires, and such insects as frequent the bark of of 
rotten and decaying timber. They are also expert >' 
darting after winged insects. They will sometime' 
skim in the dusk, within a few feet of a person, utteria! 
a kind of low chatter as they pass. In their migratioi* 
north, and on their return, they probably stop a day 
two at some of their former stages, and do not advaii^ 
in one continued flight. The whip-poor-will was tir^ 
heard this season [1811] on the 2d day of May, io' 
corner of Mr Bartram’s woods, not far from the holts' 
and for two or three mornings after in the same plac' 
