Plate LIV. 
Fig 6. CAPRIMULGUS VOCIFERUS-Whip-poorwi/I. 
The Whip-poor-will arrives in Central Ohio about the first of April, and remains until October. In 
the level, cultivated districts it is an uncommon visitant, but in the hilly districts it is plentiful. The 
eggs are laid in May; and possibly a second set is sometimes laid in July. 
LOCALITY: 
During the day-time the Whip-poor-will frequents the densest woods, preferably rocky ravines, where 
the sun rarely penetrates on account of the thick foliage of the trees and underbrush, and in such a local- 
ity it lays its eggs, placing them upon a shelving rock, or upon the ground among fallen leaves. Occa- 
sionally they are deposited beside a fallen log on the decayed wood-chips, which have been scattered by 
squirrels and Grouse, and occasionally upon a broad leaf, which is spread flat upon the ground. No 
materials are carried for the nest, nor are the natural surroundings usually disturbed. I have several 
times found these birds breeding in the level woods in Pickaway county, and always in the gloomiest 
places. 
EGGS: 
Two eggs constitute a set. They are elliptical, moderately polished, and have a white ground- 
color. The markings consist of large and small spots, and some speckles, of light yellowish-brown, dis- 
tributed rather abundantly and evenly over the entire shell. Occasionally a blotch or two may be 
observed. The deep shell-marks are about as numerous as the surface marks, and are of a lavender tint. 
The eggs measure in long-diameter from 1.08 to 1.20, and in sliort-diameter from .80 to .90. A common 
size is about 1.12 x .88. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 
When the position in which the eggs are laid, together with their number, size, shape, and markings 
is considered, identification is easy and certain; and even with specimens, the data in regard to which 
are entirely unknown, identification is possible if attention be given to size, shape, and markings, as 
described above, as there are no other eggs which resemble the Whip-poor-will’s closely enough in all these 
respects to be mistaken for them. 
REMARKS : 
The eggs illustrated, Fig. 6, Plate LIV, were found May 24th, 1876. The two at the left are of 
the same set. When discovered they were resting upon a bed of several thicknesses of oak leaves, in a 
dark and damp part of a large wood. I had almost stepped upon the mother bird, and was just in the 
act of bringing my left foot over the nest, when she fluttered off and exposed the eggs to view. While 
199 
