Page:Bird-lore Vol 05.djvu/58

 A Sierra Nighthawk Family

BY FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY

EAR our Camp on the crest of the Sierra Nevada above Donner Lake, when moving our pack-train from one of the narrow streaks of grass between the timber and rock of the summit

across a bare granite ridge to another patch of feed, we happened on a family of Nighthawks. The two old birds had been seen here before, beaten back by the wind which swept ﬁercely over the bleak northern ridge: and now, as we cros5ed a shelf of rock and gravel, with only here and there a lone pine or hemlock. the brooding bird sprang from under the bell—mare's feet, trailing off in distress.

At first sight she looked as big as a Grouse. and when second glance proved her a Nighthawk I was puzzled to tell what there was about her trailing to give the curious effect of heighti Hurrying my horse down. and leaving him with the rest of the bunch, I came back to study her at leisure, As I approached, she promptly started up again. In the suddenness of her spring and the confusion of her ﬂuttering she appeared to be walking on the tips of her wings; but in reality. as she raised her body on her long pinions, she dropped her tail straight down. keeping it down while she trailed. in that way giving height to her ﬁgure. When she lit she simulated the wounded bird better than any I have ever seen decoy, fairly flopping down as if her feet had been amputated. and ﬂute tering her wings in utter helplessness.

She lit on a flat granite surface. and her streaks and motrlings matched the markings of the rock so well that at a little distance only her white wing—spot caught the eye: but she let me come so near that I could see her white superciliary. creamy throat-patch. wide flat head and reticent mouth.

After hunting vainly over the rocks and gravel for some time. I dis covered a piece of egg—shell. its faint greenish ground Color almost hidden by specks of brown: but. after diligent search. I went back to camp without ﬁnding the former occupant of the shell.