Washington, not common S.R.; abundant T.V., Apl. 19-Oct. 8. Ossining, common S.R., May 9-Oct. 11. Cambridge, rare S.R., common T.V., May 15-Sept. 25. N. Ohio, locally common S.R., May 1-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., common T.V., May 1-Oct. 14. SE. Minn., common S.R.. May 4-Sept. 30.
Doubtless because we see the Nighthawk and only hear the Whip-poor-will the notes of the latter have been often attributed to the former, with the result that many people think there is but one species. While it is true that there is a general resemblance in form, in details of color and markings, the two birds are quite unlike, while so far as notes and habits are concerned, few members of the same family differ more. The Whip-poor-will haunts the shadows of the woods and rarely flies far above the ground, the Nighthawk, like a Swift, courses high in the open, even over city house-tops, where anyone who looks may see him. The Whip-poor-will's notes have made him famous, the Nighthawk calls only a nasal peent, peent, and, diving earthward on set wings, produces a hollow, booming sound. Both nest on the ground, but the Nighthawk lays in the fields or on pebbly roofs, and its two finely marked eggs (laid in May or June) are quite unlike those of the Whip-poor-will.
SWIFTS. FAMILY MICROPODIDÆ
CHIMNEY SWIFT
Chætura pelagica. [Case 6]. Fig. 42
A near relative of the Hummingbird, not of Swallows. Note the 'spine'-tipped tail-feathers.
Range. Eastern North America; winters in Central America; reaches the Gulf States in March.
Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 27. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 23. Cambridge, abundant S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. 16-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 18.
A twittering courser of evening skies who makes his home in our chimneys. Here the bracket-like nest of dead twigs is attached to the bricks by the bird's saliva, to be loosened, at times, after heavy rains and fall to the fire-place below. In the fall great flocks roost in chimneys, generally large ones, returning night after night.
The 4-6 white eggs are laid in May.