of the United States . 
61 
terior, the latter slender, versatile : nails very short, canalicu- 
lated beneath. First primary shorter than the second and 
third, which are longest. Tail of ten feathers. 
Female easily distinguished from the male. Young similar 
to the adult. Moult once or twice in the year. Plumage 
dull, generally consisting of a mixture of gray, reddish- 
brown and blackish, with some white spots. 
Solitary; shy; live in forests; abrupt in their motions; 
fly rapidly about in the twilight and in the night, when their 
vision is more acute ; conceal themselves in the day, except 
in cloudy weather ; flight silent, owing to the softness of 
the feathers. Hunt insects, principally nocturnal lepidop- 
tera, with a patulous mouth. In the breeding season rustle 
their wings like the doves ; remarkably constant. Lay 
one or two large eggs on the ground without any nest, rarely 
in a hollow tree or cleft rock. Voice unpleasant, monoto- 
nous. Sometimes when flying utter a noise, probably pro- 
duced by the air rushing into their open mouth, and circula- 
ting in the body. 
Inhabit all parts of the globe, but chiefly America. Analo- 
gous to Strix. 
67. Caprimulgus carolinensis, Gm. Bristles shorter than the 
bill ; tail rounded, reaching an inch beyond the wings ; three 
outer tail feathers white on the inner web at tip : length twelve 
inches. ► 
Female, with the tip of the three outer tail feathers dark 
ochreous. 
Chuck- will s-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis , Wils, Am, 
Orn. vi. p. 95. ph 54. fig, 2. 
Inhabits the southern states during summer : rather com- 
mon. 
68. Caprimulgus vociferus, Wils. Bristles much longer than 
the bill ; tail much rounded, reaching one half beyond the 
wings ; primaries mottled. 
Vol. II. 
8 
