268 
CAPRI MULGIFORMES 
This soft, moth-like, nocturnal frequenter of the lower mountain 
benches and sage-covered flats of the warm, arid valleys is the western 
representative of the eastern Whip-poor-will. Though it is a bird of the 
open rather than the forest, it is similar to the Whip-poor-will in general 
appearance and habit. The day is spent dozing in the sultry shade of 
some small bush or stone with its great eyes half shut, its mottled and 
frosted plumage blending into the background. In the cool of the evening 
it wakens, and all through the night, between sallies after insects, it reiter- 
ates its soft, far-carrying plaint from the small eminence of log, stump, 
or stone. The notes are much like those of the Whip-poor-will, but shorter. 
They are soothing and rich with mystery and probably to the majority of 
hearers their author remains unseen and unknown. An imitation of its call 
is not difficult, and will bring it close, and it can be lured for long distances 
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. mosquito hawk, bull-bat. night-jar. lb mange-marin- 
gouins. Chordeiles minor. L, 10. Plate XXXV A. A long-winged, long-tailed bird 
with the big eyes, small bill, and the enormous gape of the goatsuckers (Figure 386), 
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 386). 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 thumb-marks 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 Y ukon and Mackenzie. 
SUBSPECIES. Of the four subspecies recognized in the Check-list, three are 
attributed to Canada. The Eastern Nighthawk (le Mange-maringouins de I'Est) Chor- 
deiles minor minor 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 (le Mange-maringouins de 
Sennett) Chordeiles minor sennetti, a pale, whitened form that ranges south to Nebraska. 
In southeastern British Columbia, south to northern California, is the Pacific Nighthawk 
(le Mange-maringouins du Pacifique) Chordeiles minor 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 
