Search Result for "whip-poor-will": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whip-poor-will \Whip"-poor-will`\, n. (Zool.) An American bird (Antrostomus vociferus) allied to the nighthawk and goatsucker; -- so called in imitation of the peculiar notes which it utters in the evening. [Written also whippowil.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Caprimulgus \Caprimulgus\ n. the type genus of the Caprimulgidae, including the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) and the chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis). Syn: genus Caprimulgus. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Caprimulgidae \Caprimulgidae\ n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus), the chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis), and the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor); -- called popularly the goatsuckers or nightjars. The nighthawks are sometimes active during the day. Syn: goatsuckers, nightjars, family Caprimulgidae. [PJC] The family . . . is alternately known as the nightjars (derived from the "churring" sounds of several species -- "jarring" the night air), or goatsuckers, a nonsense name that should be discontinued as it has its origin in the preposterous myth that the birds sucked the milk of nanny goats until they were dry. --Terence Michael Short (Wild Birds of the Americas)