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Another Nighthawk Migration on an Arizona Desert

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Another Nighthawk Migration on an Arizona Desert.-In the November issue of The Condor for 1941 we reported (p. 293) on “A Nighthawk Migration on an Arizona Desert” noted on July 29, 1941. On August 17, 1943, in the same general area, we observed a flight which so overshadows the former observation that it should be recorded. Driving west on Highway 66 from Flagstaff toward Williams, about 7 p.m., we saw several groups of Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) between Bellemont and Grand Canyon Junction. The first two of five groups numbered twelve each, and the total count amounted to 43 seen in about 15 miles driving at 35 miles per hour.

On reaching Grand Canyon Junction and turning north, nighthawks were streaming across the road by the hundreds, flying from 50-75 feet above ground and in a southwest direction. We stopped the car and began counting the bird crossing about one-eighth of a mile of the highway where visibility was good against a cloudy sky. The counts by numbers were as follows:

7:35 p.m., 56 7:39 p.m., 27

7:36 67 7:40 13

7:37 33 7:41 29

7:38 57 7:42 5

Thus, in eight minutes, 287 had been counted. Proceeding toward Grand Canyon, we could see a stream of Nighthawks following down a little valley to the east and then across the road behind us where we had made the count. The next few miles netted about two to six birds seen per mile near the road until, after sunset, visibility became poor. Total Nighthawks seen between Bellemont and the T.W.A. airport (approximately.46 miles) amounted to 412.-HAROLD C. BRYANT and AMY M. BRYANT, Grand Canyon, Arizona, June 25, 1945.

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