overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly from
those of any other American member of this family, being a buff or rich
salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and
reddish brown; size 1.25 x .90. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 16,
1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense thicket. Collector, Frank B.
Armstrong.

[Illustration 267: Salmon buff.]
[Illustration: Geo. S. Fiske. NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 266

420. NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus virginianus._

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.

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.

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.

[Illustration 268: Nighthawk.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 267

[Illustration 269: J. E. Seebold.
NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK.]

Page 268

420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK. _Cordeiles virginianus se