510 
GOATSUCKER. 
evening, and retire in the morning a little after 
sun-rise : they never build a nest, but lay two eggs 
upon the bare ground, which they will scarcely 
quit on the nearest approach. They live entirely 
upon insects, and are provided with a most capa- 
cious mouth for the purpose of catching them. 
When in pursuit of their prey, they are in the 
habit of wheeling many times successively round the 
trunk of some aged tree, with a very irregular and 
rapid motion ; and when thus employed it is difficult 
to get within gun-shot of them ; for they quickly 
disappear, nor can their retreat be discovered. 
These birds have a singular note, which has in- 
duced the inhabitants of the northern provinces of 
America to give them the name of W hip -poor -Will, 
They frequent the steps of houses in search of in- 
sects, and are often seen in numbers perched on 
rails or bushes, where they repeat their song with 
a great noise from sun-set until dark : during the 
night they are quiet; but their call again com- 
mences with the dawn, and continues till the sun 
rises. They make likewise a sort of buzzing noise 
like the whirling of a spinning-wheel. 
Although the goatsuckers are very common 
among the mountainous parts of America, they are 
extremely rare near the sea side. This is confirm- 
ed by Mr. Clayton, who never heard but one in the 
maritime parts, though lie constantly resided there ; 
<c But near the mountains,” says this gentleman, 
“ within a few minutes after sun-set, they begin, 
and make so shrill and loud a noise, that the echoes 
from the rocks and sides of the mountains increase 
