8 
CAPRIMULGUS AM ERIC ANUS* 
the greater part of the day, seldom, however, together, 
and almost always on separate trees. They also sit 
lengthwise on the branch, fence, or limb, on which they 
roost, and never across, like most other birds; this 
seems occasioned by the shortness and slender form of 
their legs and feet, which are not at all calculated to 
grasp the branch with sufficient firmness to balance 
their bodies. 
As soon as incubation commences, the male keeps a 
most vigilant watch around. He is then more frequently 
seen playing about in the air over the place, even during 
the day, mounting by several quick vibrations of the 
wings, then a few slower, uttering all the while a sharp 
harsh squeak, till, having gained the highest point, he 
suddenly precipitates himself, head foremost, and with 
great rapidity, down sixty or eighty feet, wheeling up 
again as suddenly; at which instant is heard a loud 
booming sound, very much resembling that produced 
by blowing strongly into the bunghole of an empty hogs- 
head ; and which is doubtless produced by the sudden 
expansion of his capacious mouth, while he passes 
through the air. He again mounts by alternate quick 
and leisurely motions of the wings, playing about as he 
ascends, uttering his usual hoarse squeak, till, in a 
few minutes, he again dives with the same impetuosity 
and violent sound as before. Some are of opinion 
that this is done to intimidate man or beast from 
approaching his nest, and he is particularly observed 
to repeat these divings most frequently around those 
who come near the spot, sweeping down past them, 
sometimes so near, and so suddenly, as to startle and 
alarm them. The same individual is, however, often 
seen performing these manoeuvres over the river, the 
hill, the meadow, and the marsh, in the space of a 
quarter of an hour, and also towards the fall, when he 
has no nest. This singular habit belongs peculiarly to 
the male. The female has, indeed, the common hoarse 
note, and much the same mode of flight ; but never 
precipitates herself in the manner of the male. During 
the time she is sitting, she will suffer you to approach 
