WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
passes across the throat; breast and belly irregularly mottled 
and streaked with black and yellow ochre: the legs and feet 
are of a light purplish flesh colour, seamed with white; the 
former feathered before, nearly to the feet; the two exterior 
toes are joined to the middle one as far as the first joint by a 
broad membrane; the inner edge of the middle claw is pecti- 
nated, and from the circumstance of its being frequently found 
with small portions of down adhering to the teeth, is probably 
employed as a comb to rid the plumage of its head of vermin, 
this being the principal and almost only part so infested in all 
birds. 
The female is about an inch less in length and in extent; the 
bill, mustaches, nostrils, &c. as in the male. She differs in being 
much lighter on the upper parts, seeming as if powdered with 
grains of meal; and instead of the white on the three lateral tail 
feathers, has them tipt for about three quarters of an inch with 
a cream colour; the bar across the throat is also of a brownish 
ochre; the cheeks and region of the eyes are brighter brownish 
orange, which passes also to the neck, and is sprinkled with 
black and specks of white; the streak over the eye is also lighter. 
The young was altogether covered with fine down of a pale 
brown colour; the shafts or rather sheaths of the quills bluish; 
the point of the bill just perceptible. 
Twenty species of this singular genus are now known to na- 
turalists; of these one only belongs to Europe, one to Africa, 
one to New Holland, two to India, and fifteen to America. 
The present species, though it approaches nearer in its plu- 
mage to that of Europe than any other of the tribe, differs from 
it in being entirely without the large spot of white on the wing; 
and in being considerably less. Its voice, and particular call, 
are also entirely different. 
Farther to illustrate the history of this bird, the following- 
notes are added, made at the time of dissection. Body, when 
stript of the skin, less than that of the Wood Thrush; breast 
bone one inch in length; second stomach strongly muscular, filled 
with fragments of pismires and grasshoppers; skin of the bird 
