NIGHT HAWK. 
163 
Three species only, of this genus, are found within the 
United States, — the Chuek-will’s-widow, the Whip-poor-will, 
and the Night Hawk. The first of these is confined to 
those states lying south of Maryland; the other two are 
found generally over the Union, but are frequently con- 
founded one with the other, and by some supposed to be one 
and the same bird. A comparison of this with the succeeding 
plate, which contains the figure of the Whip-poor-will, will 
satisfy those who still have their doubts on this subject; and 
the great difference of manners which distinguishes each 
will render this still more striking and satisfactory. 
On the last week in April, the Night Hawk commonly 
makes its first appearance in this part of Pennsylvania. At 
what particular period they enter Georgia, I am unable to 
say ; but I find, by my notes, that, in passing to New Orleans 
by land, I first observed this bird in Kentucky on the 21st of 
April. They soon after disperse generally over the country, 
from the sea shore to the mountains, even to the heights of 
the Alleghany ; and are seen, towards evening, in pairs, playing 
about, high in air, pursuing their prey, wasps, flies, beetles, 
and various other winged insects of the larger sort. About 
the middle of May, the female begins to lay. No previous 
preparation or construction of a nest is made ; though doubtless 
the particular spot has been reconnoitred and determined on. 
This is sometimes in an open space in the woods, frequently in 
in almost every particular, and where the uses of combing its bristles or freeing 
itself from the vermin that persons have been willing to afflict this species with 
in more than ordinary proportions, could not be in any way applied. We find it 
among the Ardeadce, Platalea, Ibis, Phalacracorax , and Cursorius, all widely 
differing in habit : the only assimilating form among them is the generally loose 
plumage. I have no hesitation in saying that the use of this structure has not 
yet been ascertained, and that, when found out, it will be different from any 
that has been yet suggested. The very variety of forms among which we 
find it, will bear this out ; and the presence of it in Caprimulgus, will more 
likely turn out the extreme limit of the structure, than that from which we 
should draw our conclusions. It is much more prevalent among the Grallatoi'es, 
and our present form is the only one in any other division where it is at all 
found. — Ed. 
