Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-08-17
Shepherdstown Jefferson County, Virginia. Thursday
The Nighthawk And Its Ways.

Without doubt many OF our readers
have seen the nighthawk, which is really
not hawk at all and does not greatly
resemble one except in its quick flight
when in pursuit of its food. You have
noticed this dusky gray bird, a trifle larger
than a robin, fitting about hither and
thither in the early evening, securing its
food. the larger insects OF the upper air.
1t is seldom seen except in the evening,
although on rare occasions it will appear
on dark, cloudy afternoons.
The nighthawk is a uniform dull gray
in color with white spot on each wing.
The male is further adorned by white
band across the tail. The color makes
the bird extremely difficult to distinguish
at night except when il is flying and the
body appears outlined against the sky.
Although this bird always appears in
flight high up in the air, il lays its eggs
in any small depression on the ground,
never taking the trouble TO construct a
nest. The two grayish- -colored eggs are
hardly visible and the absence of any
nesting material renders the nest one OF
the most difficult OF all to locate. The
bird seeks further protection for its nest
by resort to that well known trick OF sew
eral species by fluttering from the nest
when one approaches too near and half
flying, half hopping away, as if badly
crippled. BY this action it leads one TO
attempt 10 pick il up, but il always man.
ages 10 keep just out OF reach without
making too great an effort, till, finally, at
safe distance it rises and flies away en-
tirely recovered from its apparent injuries.
Unless one marks his position unusually
well when the old bird first rises it lis very
difficult TO return 10 the place near which
the eggs will be found. But one should
not pay too close attention TO the eggs or
even the little birds after they are hatched,
for the niglithawk possesses the most un-
usual trait of leaving the nest that has
been handled and Of carrying the eggs or
young birds to new location, using its
great mouth for the purpose. The birds
habit OF seizing flying insects while in
full flight itself and swallowing them
while in motion requires large mouth
with which to make sure of its prey, and
this bird is we'll fitted in that respect.
AS stated, the nighthawk rarely flies in
daylight. One such fl ght was observed
few years ago on a rainy afternoon in
midsu rmer, when suddenly great flock,
apparently numbering hundreds, appear
ed and flew across the sky from north TO
south and returned, making their we'll
known sudden side flights after insects,
but keeping largely in The one direction.
After twice crossing the sky in this way
they seemed 10 continue on and TO dis
appear entirely from sight in the locality
where observed. This flight in focks is
very unusual, as each bird seems to be
looking after its own affairs, even though
a dozen or more be in sight at one time
during summer evening.
The nighthawk somewhat resembles
the whippoorwil in size and color, as
well as in its habit of appearing only at
night. BY some people they are mistaken
for the same bird. but by scientists they
are classed in entirely different bird
families" The whippoorwill is not a
bird OF extended flight and is rarely seen
to fly higher than the top rail OF wood
lot fence or into low shrub.
The only sound the nighthawk is capa-
BILE of making is sort of hiss or squeak
and deep, hollow sound likened to that
produced by blowing across the mouth OF
large, empty bottle. It's ali interesting
bird to watch and a useful one in its hab-
its of securing food.