The New Student's Reference Work/Whip-Poor-Will

Whip-Poor-Will, a bird widely known on account of its oft-repeated cry of whip-poor-will. It is not often seen, although it is abundant in damp woods of the eastern United States. It usually rests on the ground during the day and is active at twilight and early nightfall, sending forth its cry and also coursing low over the grass in search of insects. It is about ten inches long and of plain colors, being grayish, much variegated with black and buff. Its bill is very broad, its mouth large and provided with a tuft of long bristles. It builds no nest, but deposits its eggs on leaves or a slight depression in the ground. To the same family belong the chuck-will's-widow and the night-hawk.