The Whip-poor-will
Length nearly ten inches.
A very large mouth, fringed with long bristles, useful as an insect trap.
Plumage all mottled with gray, buff, and black, but the end half of three outside tail-feathers white, and a white breast-band.
A Summer Citizen of the United States and Canada east of the plains; in winter from Florida southward.
A member of the guilds of Sky Sweepers and Ground Gleaners.
[CHAPTER XXIII]
A LAUGHING FAMILY
When the children had their uncle with them, and could listen to his stories, it seemed very easy to name the birds. But when they were alone it was quite a different matter. The birds had a way of moving on, at exactly the wrong moment. Of course they made some very funny mistakes, and at times grew quite discouraged.
"I thought we could learn a hundred birds in no time," said Nat to Olive, one morning; "but I'm only pop sure of ten when they fly in a hurry, and about ten more when they sit still and let me take a good look at them."