[Imitative of the bird’s cry.] Popular name in U.S. of a species of Goat-sucker (Caprimulgus carolinensis).
1828. Audubon, Ornith., I. 273 (Bartl.). About the middle of March, the forests of Louisiana are heard to echo with the well-known notes of this interesting bird. No sooner has the sun disappeared … than the sound ‘chuck-will’s-widow,’ repeated with great clearness and power six or seven times in as many seconds, strikes the ear.
