237 
along the trail by crafty repetition. The first word “Cook” should be 
spoken and whistled in a deep tone, followed by two short notes of similar 
pitch and timbre with a strong accent on the first — “Cook oo-oo.” 
Economic Status . Undoubtedly similar to the Whip-poor-will, its 
food being night-flying moths, beetles, and other insects. 
420. Nighthawk (Including Pacific and Sennett’s Nighthawks). mosquito 
hawk, bulit-bat, night-jar. Chordeiles virginianus. L, 10, Plate XXXVIII A. A 
long-winged, long-tailed bird with the big eyes, small bill, and enormous gape of the Goat- 
suckers (Figure 242), coloured in fine and rather indefinite pattern of rich, dark brown 
and frosty white and greys. 
Distinctions. The size of, and very similar to, the Whip-poor-will, for which it is 
often mistaken. Easily distinguished from it by the following characters. The throat 
is white, instead of being dark with white collar, the long mouth bristles are lacking (com- 
pare with Figure 242). The tail is slightly forked instead of round and has little white, 
except a narrow, broken subterminal bar. The underparts are distinctly barred and the 
wings have a prominent white spot at the base of the primaries. In the southern valleys 
of interior British Columbia to be confused only with the Poor-will, but much larger, the 
tail slightly forked and well over 3 • 50 inches long, with a white subterminal bar instead of 
small thumbmarks on tips. The chin and throat are white instead of dark. The barring 
below is more decided, and the white spot at the base of the primaries is very distinctive. 
Field Marks. The Nighthawk often flies about in broad daylight, but the Whip- 
poor-will or the Poor-will never do so unless disturbed. A white spot on the wing shows 
very plainly in flight, resembling from a little distance the clear-cut hole made by a rifle ball. 
The wing action, and outline, as the bird flies about the upper air with long irregular stroke, 
are very characteristic, and its often-repeated, harsh, squawk-like note and its sudden, 
perpendicular dive in the air accompanied by a hollow booming sound are very distinctive 
of the species. 
Nesting. Eggs laid directly on the ground in a clear spot, often the bald top of a 
flat rock. Flat gravel roofs in our cities are admirably adapted to its purpose and much 
used. 
Distribution. North and South America. In Canada, north to Yukon and Mac- 
kenzie. 
SUBSPECIES. Of the four subspecies recognized in the Check-list, three are 
attributed to Canada. The Eastern Nighthawk Chordeiles virginianus virginianus 
extends over much the greater part of the Dominion. In extreme southern Alberta, and 
probably into adjacent Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, in the dry belt near the International 
border, is Sennett’s Nighthawk Chordeiles virginianus sennetti, a pale, whitened form that 
ranges south to Nebraska. In southeastern British Columbia, south to northern Cali- 
fornia, is the Pacific Nighthawk Chordeiles virginianus hesperis, a darker but rather poorly- 
defined race. 
Though called Nighthawk this bird has no relation to the Raptores 
in habit, structure, or outward appearance. Its large eyes directed slightly 
forward sometimes cause it to be mistaken by casual observers for an 
Owl. These graceful aeronauts may be seen over almost any city or town 
as evening draws on, beating about on long, strong wings with slow, power- 
ful, but rather erratically-timed beats. At intervals one will mount in 
steep spirals higher and higher, and then face earthwards and come down 
nearly perpendicularly like a falling stone. As it falls a hollow dull tremolo 
buzz is heard. Just before the observer thinks the bird must dash to 
the ground it recovers itself and glides off safely to repeat the operation. 
Its notes are not musical in themselves, but, by association, they seem 
fitting to hot summer sunsets, with black steeples, and factory smoke- 
stacks silhouetted against glowing skies. Often the last thing seen at night is 
its long-winged, gracefully beating form high in the upper air, still 
illuminated by the ruddy afterglow that has deserted the lower world, 
while the harsh squawking comes down softened and harmonized by 
distance. 
