Range. - North America, east of the Plains and from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico; winters through Mexico to northern South America.

The Nighthawk or some of its sub-species is found in nearly all parts of North America, its habits being the same in all localities. It is of the same size as the Whip-poor-will, from which species it can readily be distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white band near the end, and the white band across the primaries, the latter mark showing very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they are very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with darker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85.

Nighthawk.

Grayish white.

420a. Western Nighthawk. Chordeiles Virginianus Henryi

Range. - United States west of the Plains.

A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open portions of the country in its range, its habits and nesting habits being the same as others of the former species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color.

Grayish white.

420b. Florida Nighthawk. Chordeiles Virginianus Chapmani

Range. - A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast. No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable.

J. E. Seebold NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK-.

420 - 421

420c. Sennett's Nighthawk. Cordeiles Virginianus Sennetti

Range. - A very pale species with little or no tawny; found in the Great Plains from Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters south of the United States.