Whatever, among either of these people, is strange and not comprehended, is usually attributed to supernatural agency ; and an unexpected sight, or uncommon incident, is often ominous of good, but more generally of bad fortune to the parties. Night, to minds of this complexion, brings with it -- its kindred horrors, its apparitions, strange sounds and awful sights ; and this solitary and inoffensive bird, being a frequent wanderer in these hours of ghosts and hobgoblins, is considered by the Indians as being, by habit and repute, little better than one of them. All these people, however, are not so credulous ; I have conversed with Indians who treated these silly notions with contempt."

The favorite places of resort for these birds are on high, dry situations ; it is probably on this account, that they are to be found here in such numbers. The following lines are so appropriate, that no apology can be necessary for their insertion : --

SONG OF THE WHIP-POOR-WILL.

Swiftly the hours of day-light have fled,

Dark hang the clouds o'er the sun's wav}r bed ;

Stilly the cool dews of evening are falling,

And the night loving owl from her wood haunt is calling,

Now swiftly from my dark home I'll silently fly,

And glide through the glen with my bright beaming eye.

On the slope of the hill is the gleam of my wings, Through the limbs of the oak where the rain prophet rings, By the skirt of the green wood where hangs the light dew, O'er the grass of the meadow my flight I pursue ; Through the star lighted paths of the forest I'll fly, And pierce the gray gloom with my bright gleaming eye.