File:Bird-lore (1914) (14752987624).jpg

Identifier: birdlore16nati (find matches)
Title: Bird-lore
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals
Subjects: Birds -- Periodicals Birds -- Conservation Periodicals
Publisher: New York, National Association of Audubon Societies
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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however, we came near enoughto hear the low note, something like chuck, which immediately precedes thefirst loud whip of its song. Ernest IngersoU, in his book Wit of the Wild, says that a Whip poor-will, while singing, will often make a beginning and then seem to stop and try it over again, like a person practising a new tune; butops inging ;.j^ggg interruptions really mean so many leaps into the air, with perhaps frantic dodges and a somersault or two, for thesnatching and devouring of some lusty insect that objects to the process. Welistened for this, but all the calls we heard were complete throughout eachperformance. It was fully two hours after the sun had set before the last noteof this mysterious night-flyer was heard. Just before dawn it called againseveral times, and the farmers wife said she feared it was sitting on the stonedoor-step. She was somewhat disturbed about this, and intimated that ifit were there the action would bring sorrow to the household. It seems odd (138)
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u > ■ t B I I O U s z The Whip-poor-will 139 that people should be superstitious about anything so harmless as a bird, butin rural communities one often finds people who believe much ill luck mayhappen to them if a Whip-poor-will sings too close to the house. If they werebetter acquainted with this gentle feathered creature, they would surely knowthat nothing evil could come from it. Many more people have heard this bird call than have ever seen it; for,like the owl, its day begins only when the sun goes down, and before the suncomes up again it has settled to sleep on the dead leaves that cover the groundin the thicker parts of the woods. It appears never to give its call during thedaytime. While hunting for wild flowers, you will sometimes come upon itshiding-place. It must sleep with one ear open, for the bird seems always tohear you before you see it, and, on silent wings it will rise and fly quickly outof sight among the bushes. If such an experience should happen to one in

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