Every morning and evening his shrill and rapid repetitions are heard from the adjoining woods ; and when two or more are' calling out at the same time, as is often the case in the pairing season, and at no great distance from each other, the noise, mingling with the echoes from the mountains, is really surprising." " These notes seem pretty plainly to articulate the words which have been generally applied to them -- Whippoor-ivill -- the first and last syllable being uttered with great emphasis, and the whole in about a second to each repetition ; but when two or more males meet, their Whip-poor-will altercations become much more rapid and incessant, as if each were straining to overpower or silence the other." "Towards midnight they generally become silent, una The eastern branch of the Bronx originates from the Rye ponds, and, running tlirough Kenseco, unites with the northern in the southern part of this town. b Gapfimulgus Vociferus. -- Wilson.

464 HISTORY OF THE

less in clear moonlight, when they are heard, with little intermission, till mornino:. If tliere be a creek near, with high, precipitous, bushy banks, they are sure to be found in such situations. During the day, ihey sit in the most retired, solitary, and deep-shaded parts of the woods, generally on high ground, where they repose in silence." '' I shall not, (continues Mr. Wilson,) in the manner of some, attempt to amuse the reader with a repetition of the unintelligible names given to this bird by the Indians, or the superstitious notions generally entertained of it by the same people. These seem as various as the tribes, or even families, with wljich 3'ou converse ; scarcely two of them will tell you the same story. It is easy, however, to observe, that this, like the owl and other nocturnal birds, is held by them in a kind of superstitious awe, as a bird with which they wish to have as little to do as possible.