622 
SWALLOW TRIBE. 
day, but are most commonly in motion an hour or two 
before dusk. Sometimes, indeed they are seen out in the 
brightest and hottest weather, and occasionally, while 
basking in the sun, find means to give chase to the Ci- 
cindeli, Carabi , and other entirely diurnal insects, as well 
as grasshoppers, with which they often gorge themselves 
in a surprising manner ; but they probably seldom feed 
more than an hour or two in the course of the day. 
About the middle of August, they begin their migra- 
tions towards the south, on which occasion they may be 
seen in the evening moving in scattered flocks, con- 
sisting of several hundreds together, and darting after in- 
sects, or feeding leisurely, as they advance towards more 
congenial climes. For two or three weeks these proces- 
sions along the rivers and their banks, tending towards 
their destination, are still continued. Mingled with the 
wandering host, are sometimes also seen the different 
species of Swallow, a family to which they are so much 
allied in habits and character ; but by the 20th of Septem- 
ber the whole busy troop have disappeared for the season. 
The Night-Hawk is 9^ inches in length, and 23 in alar extent. 
Above deep blackish-brown, powdered, on the back, scapulars, and 
head, with innumerable spots and touches of a pale cream-color, and 
interspersed with rufous specks. A spot of white extends over the 5 
first primaries. Below marked with transverse lines of dusky and 
yellowish. — Female an inch shorter. 
