[Illustration 266: Poor-will. Merrill's Paraque.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.] Page 265 419. MERRILL'S PARAUQUE. _Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli._ Range.--Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas. This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as stoutly built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished from any other of the family by its tail, the outer feather on each side being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next two having white ends for nearly half their length. Their eggs are laid on the ground in open localities, and generally under the protection of an 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 × .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.