Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-03-07
Written for the HERALD
ORNITHOLOGY.
THE USE OF BIRDS TO THE
FARMER.
BY GEO. 4. BALCH,
BY GEO. .. DALcH

The goatsuckers are generally noe
turnal or crepuscalar and do not fly
about during the day unless when
very cloudy, or Just at sunset. While
resting, they either sit upon the
ground, or perch on limb, and I'M
like other birds, retaip their position
lcngthwise instead of crosswise as is
the case with all other birds. There
are two American Genera, I-Antro-
storms, bristles, long and very con
spicuous tail, even and rounded |;
strictly nocturnal. II-Chordicies,
Eristles, short; tail, forked; wings,
long. This species is somewhat Gre
puscular. Under this FIRST classical
ton we find the "NIghtjar," or Whip
poor-will. The habits Of this bird are
but little known to the farmer, proba-
bly, on account OF its nocturnal habits.
They are inseetiyorous, capturing
moths and smaller insects. Their food
consists principally of night flying
Lepidopteia. and the numbers des-
troyed are immense; thus proving to
be one Of the farmers most beneficial
friends. The whip-poor.wills where
ever known are well known, and yet
by common people are rarely seen.
Dnring the day they retire to some
lonely and secluded spot, and there
sccla to pass tho, ho1.s in drowsy,
unconscious state. Were it not for
their loud and peculiar note, they
might be considered by collectors as
very rare. The ''Nightjars" are mi
sratory and gregarious, aud are even
iy distributed throughout New l. g
land. They reach this section the
first of June, aud it is during this
month. that IN the warm still nights,
we hear their famous notes, which
have won for them so much fame in
ages that are past. Superstition re-
garded this bird as years ago as being
the forerunncr of evil which was to
befall those who heard their plaintive
notes. An old adage says that:
IAN evil dag Is drawing nigh
Whom you hear the low note
OF the whip-poor.will cry"
And even now iu certain portions
of Europe this superstition exists.
Another popularity OF this bird is
that Of having the middle toe serrated !;
having teeth like saw, and it has
been suggested that such a provision
has been made for the purpose Of rad
ding itself OF vcrmin, with whch it is
more than ordinarily infested. The
rock too claims the same gift, but
neither it nor the pigeon has the SER
rated claw, whilst though the hcron3
are so armed, it may be doubted if
they can use the instrument for such
purpose. lift be said that some
birds are armed with serrations to en-
able them more readily to retain their
prey, they would have recined back
ward, and not forward. as is in reality
the case. The subject is we'll worth
the close observation of all lovers of
nature. The whip-poor-wills are not
so gregarious as the night hawks, AL
though in spring we see rivalry be-
tween the males who seem to chal-
lenge each other. They also fly near
tine ground, and prefer short flights
consequently their fool must differ
considerably from that of their rela-
tive. Audubon in speaking of this
bird says:
sit passes low over the bushes,
moves to the right and left, alights on
the ground to secure its prey, passes
repeatedly and in different directions
over the same field, skins along the
skirts of the woods, and settles oc-
casionnlly on the tops of FENCES. stakes
or on stumps of trees, from whence il
sallies like fycatcher after insects,
and on Selling them return to the
Same spot. When thus situated, it
frequently alishts upon the ground to
pick UP beetle. Like the Chuck
Wills widow, it also balances itself in
the air, in front of trees, or by the
banks to discover ants and other small
insects that may be lurking there. Its
fight is so light and noiseless that
while passing within few feet of a
person, the motion Of It's wings is not
heard By him, and merely produces a
gentle undulation in the air."
There is y great deal more to be
said of interest concerning this bird,
about which so much mystery and SUI
perstition is connected, but for the
want of space must draw this short
biography to close.
(7O be continued.)