CHUCK- WILL’S- WIDOW. 
297 
As soon, however, as these parasites perceive the dead body 
of their patron beginning- to become cold, they abandon it ; 
and, if the person who holds it have his head uncovered, dive 
instantly among his hair, as I have myself frequently expe- 
rienced ; and, though driven from thence, repeatedly return, 
till they are caught and destroyed. There are various kinds 
of these ticks : the one found on the present Hawk is figured 
beside him. The head and thorax were light brown ; the legs, 
six in number, of a bright green, their joints moving almost 
horizontally, and thus enabling the creature to pass with the 
greatest ease between the laminae of feathers ; the wings were 
single, of a dark amber colour, and twice as long as the body, 
which widened towards the extremity, where it was slightly 
indented ; feet, two clawed. 
This insect lived for several days between the crystal and 
dial-plate of a watch, carried in the pocket; but, being placed 
for a few minutes in the sun, fell into convulsions and died. 
CHUCK- WILL’S- WIDOW CAPRIMULGUS CAROLINENSIS. 
Plate LIV. Fig. 2. 
Peale's Museum, No. 7723. 
CAP RIM UL G US CAROLINENSIS. — B risson. * 
Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Lath. Gen. Hist. — Caprimulgus rufus, V ieill. (auct. 
Bonap.) JBonap. Synop. p. 61. — Chuck- will’s-widow, Aud. pi. 52, male 
and female ; Orn. Biog. i. p. 273. 
This solitary bird is rarely found to the north of James 
river, in Virginia, on the sea-board, or of Nashville, in the 
* According to Mr Audubon, this species, when disturbed or annoyed about 
the nest, removes its eggs or young to a distance. This circumstance seems 
known to the Negroes and American farmers, who give various accounts of 
the mode in which it is performed. Mr Audubon could not satisfy himself 
as to the truth of these accounts, and resolved to watch and judge for himself. 
What follows is the result of his observation : — 
“ When the Chuck- will’s- widow, either male or female, (for each sits alter- 
nately,) has discovered that the eggs have been touched, it ruffles its feathers, 
and appears extremely dejected for a minute or two, after which it emits a 
