Page:Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.djvu/30

Rh the wholly naked tarsi, the white patch across the primaries, which are also destitute of ochraceous spots, by the much longer and differently marked tail and other features. It is, in fact, a far handsomer bird, and, not excepting even the "Antrostomus" nuttalli, is by far the most beautiful of the Caprimulgidw which occur in the United States. It is a species of very wide distribution, its range comprising the whole of the inter-tropical portions of America on both sides of the equator, with the exception of the West India Islands, from none of which it has thus far been recorded. It is subject to considerable variations of color, which have given rise to a number of synonyms, as may be seen by reference to the citations given above, but the variations seem to be of an individual and sexual nature, rather than geographical. — R. R.

This interesting addition to the avifauna of the United States proves to be a rather common summer visitor, arriving early iu March, at least a month before any others of the family, and remaining as late, at least, as November 16, on which date I have taken two specimens. My first specimen was shot on the 1st of April, 1876, and its capture noted in the Bulletin of the ISTuttall Ornithological Club, vol. i, p. 88. Since that time, I have taken quite a number of specimens, and found several sets of eggs. The habits and eggs of this species, in addition to its anatomical characters, show its affinity with the Whip-poor-wills rather than the Nighthawks. It frequents shady thickets and copses (where these can be found), and when flushed dodges rapidly and silently among the bushes, but soon alights, only to repeat the short flight when again approached. The eggs are deposited in such a situation, usually at the foot of a bush; the parent, when started from her eggs, makes no attempt to decoy one away, but flying a few yards alights to watch the intruder, frequently raising herself on her legs and nodding in a curious manner, uttering at the same time a low, whining sound. Their notes are among the most characteristic night sounds of the Lower Rio Grande, and are constantly heard at evening during the summer months. They consist of a repeated whistle resembling the syllables whew-whew-ichewivJiew-whe-ee-e-ew, much stress being laid upon the last, which is prolonged. The whole is soft and mellow, yet can be heard at a great distance. The preliminary whewsvary somewhat in number, and late in the season are often omitted altogether. The eggs are a rich creamy-buff color, sparingly marked with a deeper shade of the same and with lilac. Specimens average 1.25 by .92 inches.

On the 15th of May, 1876, 1 found a set of eggs near camp at Hidalgo, and on returning in about fifteen minutes to secure the parent, who had Disappeared among the thickets, I found that she had removed the eggs, although they had not been touched. At least two pairs breed annually within Fort Brown, part of the reservation affording them the shade and shelter they always seek.

117. Antrostomus carolinensis, (Gmel.)

A few taken during the migrations. — (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 470.) Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 10 Oct. 2, 1878,