The Poor wills 
Recognition Marks.— Strictly towhee size, but appearing larger; smaller than a 
Nighthawk, which it superficially resembles in coloration. Poorwill cry heard a 
hundred times to once the bird is seen. Paler than californicus; darker than nitidus. 
Nesting.— Eggs: 2; laid upon the bare ground; pure white (or with a faint 
pinkish tinge when fresh); oval to blunt elliptical-oval in shape. Av. size 25.2 x 19 
(.99 x .75). Season: c. June 1st; one brood. 
Range of PhaJcenoptilus nuttalli. —Western North America from the plains to 
California and from south-central British Columbia, south in winter to central Mexico. 
Range of P. n. nuttalli. —That of the species minus the Pacific Coast district, 
broadly, and the southern portion of summer range (roughly Kansas to southeastern 
California). 
Distribution in California. —Summer resident of Upper Sonoran and Tran¬ 
sition areas east of the Sierras, from Death Valley northward, and through the northern 
counties west at least to Yreka, Siskiyou County. Winters in the southern portion of 
its range and irregularly southward over the deserts and in the valley of the Colorado. 
Authorities.—Cooper ( Antrostomus Nuttalli), Orn. Calif., 1870, p. 341 (mts., 
west of Colo. V alley); Fisher, N. Am. Fauna, no. 7. 1893, p. 51 (localities in s. e. Calif.); 
Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zook, vol. xii., 1914, p. 139 (Colo. Valley; occurrence, 
habits, crit.). 
No. 207a Frosted Poorwill 
A. 0. U. No. 418a. Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nitidus Brewster. 
Synonym.— Brewster’s Poorwill. 
Description.— Similar to P. n. nuttalli, but'paler throughout and a little smaller; 
the upper plumage decidedly paler and more blended; the black markings on scapulars, 
etc., much reduced, sometimes barely enlarged centrally. Length (skins) 182 (7.17); 
wing 133.8 (5.27); tail 80.2 (3.16). 
Remarks.— This form, disallowed by Ridgway, appears to be clearly established 
by a series of specimens obtained by Grinnell in the Colorado River Valley in the spring 
of 1910. Although typical nuttalli was also present at the same time, Mr. Grinnell 
decided, upon dissection, that the resident breeding form was nitidus, and that nuttalli 
was a winter visitant only. 
Range of P. n. nitidus. — Breeding from western Kansas south to Coahuila and 
west to southeastern Colorado, Lower California east of the central mountains, and in 
the Cape San Lucas region. Resident in the southern portion of its range. 
Distribution in California.— Resident in the Colorado River valley and on the 
Lower Sonoran deserts of southeastern California. 
Authorities.--Brewster, Auk, vol. iv., 1887, p. 147 (orig. desc. ; Nueces River, 
Texas); Bendire, Life Hist. N. Am. Birds, vol. ii., 1895, p. 157 (Death Valley); Bishop, 
Condor, vol. vii., 1905, p. 142 (Witch Creek, San Diego Co.); Grinnell, Univ. Calif. 
Pub. Zook, vol. xii., 1914, p. 139 (Colo. Valley, occurrence, meas., crit.). 
No. 207b Dusky Poorwill 
A. O. U. No. 418b. Phalaenoptilus nuttalli californicus Ridgway. 
Synonym.— California Poorwill. 
Description.— Adult: Similar to P. n. nuttalli, but darker; the black markings 
of scapulars, etc., larger; the black bars of underparts broader, the dusky element in 
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