The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-18
FOR OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
A Singer Whose SOlt Notes Go Straight to
Every Heart.
CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW AND ITS COUSINS
Tho Nest of the Bird-A Few Dry Leaves
Riked Togethsr-The ernce and Airiness
of Its Flighf-A Harmless Creature.

of Its FIighf-A Harmless Creature.
Early in the spring the Northern forests
arc filled with tho loud clear notes Of the
whip-poor-wiil and there is not child. who
has ever heard the song. that does not love it
and greet with renewed pleasure the yearly
coming of the little singer. About tho same
time small vocalist max es his appearance in
tie South. from the Caronas around through
all the Gulf states and those that listen TO
him night after night admit that no other
birds song goes 80 straight TO the heart, or
carries with It SO many tender and pathetic
memories as does the song OF the SPANISH
whip-poor-wlll. or "chuck-wil P.-widow.
The Northern whip pOor-will and the South
ern chuck-will' s-widOw are cousins. Tor they
both belong % tho Goatsucker family. They
bear a general resemblance 10 one another IN
shape and plumage as well as in habits.
Like other sristocrsts. they spend their win
teIs abroad. but there is no packing Of trunks
and securing OF passports when they fit nlrly
across into the land of the Montezumas
How like q fight of brown leaves. driven by
tho wind must be this yearly migration Of
tie G0atsuckers- they are n cheerful.
friendly race. md come and go as one bird
Ii IS considered a rare accident. happy
chance, TO find the nest of a chuck-wlll s.
widow. and yet il would seem TO be ono Of
the easiest feats imaginable Sometimes
few dry leaves are raked together. and the
two dull olive eggs speckled with brown. are
deposited upon them. Still more frequently
they are lad upon the bare ground without
even the retense of little nest-llke hollow.
When bird accomplishments were being
p0rt.Oned out o talent for housekeeping was
not given to the chuck-wilis widow He is
q k nd OF gypsy, with no settled abiding
place.
if in your wanderings you chance 70 find
the queer little nest and even 10 brighten the
Old bird from il, il is all well sho will return
as soon as you are gone, but II you should
put your hand on the eggs or upon the yell
low puis Of down that have Just replaced
them You will find the nest vacant when you
come again.
The bird that has discovered the outrage
calls the other one with low. peculiar note.
and iels him all about 10. Immediately each
one takes mp an egg IN its enormous bill and
they fly, sometimes 10 a distance OF two or
three hundred yards and begin lie again.
The very young birds are transported IN the
SINE manner. but the half-Aedged ones are
pushed and urged along on the ground by
their energetic though devoted parents.
10 would be difficult 90 imagine ANYTHING
more airy and graceful than the fight 4 the
chuck-w.ll s-widow. All its motions are
no seless. Even when II sweeps quite near
on il Is impossible TO distinguish the ialntest
hutter OF wings lt Is fascinating 70 watch 1t
in tue early twilight, as 1t mlngles with the
bats in their search through the upper air
for such insects as may chance TO be abroad.
10 darts and poises. floats on Outspread
win s. turns swiftly from side 10 side. ses
without an effort, or hoyers as lightly
and gracefully as hummlng bird. one
would almost believe that II IS q spirit in
stead of "a bird, so soft and swift are the mo-
tlOus of its wings
The chuck wills widow and the bat are
companions, not only IN their search FOR food,
but IN occupying the same tenement. If IN
the daytime you search through tho hollow
trunk of an Old tree whore bats are known TO
cOngregate. YOU will ind the bats hung up all
around the walls OF the tree by that curious
little hook on their wings. and here ana there.
wherever there is a ledge where a d ri can
perch YOU will find chuck-wiil' s-widow.
lie rctres into u corner at your approach.
IN es all his feathers opens wide that absurd
bill OF his and makes a kissing sOund-trying
no doubt, 20 convince you that he Is snake.
Fierce as he looks. however. he ls quite
harmless and no one would be hard-hearted
enough to iniure him
As the first shades OF the long Southern twi-
light begin TO fall upon the andscale his song
arises. IL has none Of the brisk sharpness OF
the "Whp-p0Or VIII that rings through
the Northern forests IL has an information
very nearly ike the words that have given 1t
its name "Chuck-w.irs-widOw Chuck
w.lls-widOw comes across the fields again
and again. spoken clearly and somewhat
slowly, W Oh kind of lingering mournful-
ness in the sound that gives one an impress
sion If soft and soothing melancholy mp0ssi-
bic 10 describe When tbs song begins
CAV laughter and lively conversation cease.
and leope sit and listen. their minds filed
with tender thoughts and touching memo
RES.
It is easy to understand why tho chuck
wi.ps-widow Is so much loved. tbs because
there is always something IN It's voice that
COOS stra gAt TO the heart.
SO ear are the tones Of this night wan
derer Tat q soft but distinct echo OF 1t issent
back from all tie al accent hills mere unreal
ghosts or his song. When several dozen Of
the birds arc singing al once. at various dis
tauces. and the songs and the echoes inter
ming and I'm the air tie effect 10 sWeetand
touching hey md description.
The southern DeCiOe entertain whole
some fear OF the chuck-wIlls willow, and
have many superstitiOns in regard to his
movements II is considered an omen Of bad
luck Tor one 90 come near tho house and sing.
Az certain seasons tho bird. instead OF sing
ing. emits hoarse crOak not unlike the cav
of crow but much lower. Then. indeed,
the negroes view hi. approach with fear and
trembling. IL Is "sho sign of death to
hear the croak. fully as bad as having thr-
teen at the table, or lreaking the looking
glass. or sp.lliug the salt Whether the sho'
sign Is ever followed by the expected death
is quite another matter