WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
21 
respect, positively assert that the night hawk and the 
whip-poor-will are very different birds, and do not even 
associate together. The naturalists of Europe, however, 
have generally considered the two names as applicable 
to one and the same species ; and this opinion has 
also been adopted by two of our most distinguished 
naturalists, Mr William Bartram, of Kingsessing,* and 
Professor Barton, of Philadelphia.-)' The writer of this, 
being determined to ascertain the truth by examining 
for himself, took the following effectual mode of settling 
this disputed point, the particulars of which he now 
submits to those interested in the question : 
“ Thirteen of those birds usually called night hawks, 
which dart about in the air like swallows, and some- 
times descend with rapidity from a great height, making 
a hollow sounding noise like that produced by blowing 
into the bunghole of an empty hogshead, were shot at 
different times, and in different places, and accurately 
examined, both outwardly and by dissection. Nine of 
these were found to be males, and four females. The 
former all corresponded in the markings and tints of 
their plumage ; the latter also agreed in their marks, 
differing slightly from the males, though evidently of 
the same species. Two others were shot as they rose 
from the nests, or rather from the eggs, which, in both 
cases, were two in number, lying on the open ground. 
These also agreed in the markings of their plumage 
with the four preceding; and, on dissection, were 
found to be females. The eggs were also secured. A 
whip-poor-will was shot in the evening, while in the 
act of repeating his usual and well known notes. This 
bird was found to be a male, differing in many remark- 
able particulars from all the former. Three others were 
shot at different times during the day, in solitary and 
dark shaded parts of the wood. Two of these were 
found to be females, one of which had been sitting on 
two eggs. The two females resembled each other 
* Caprimulgus Virginianus, whip-poor-will, or night hawk. 
Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsylvania , p. 3. See 
also American Phil . Trans, vol. iv. p. 208, 209, note. 
