Andrea Grad wrote:
> ... in Okanogan County ... people ... have an interesting name for COMMON
NIGHTHAWKS ... they call them Bull Bats. My guess is that it's because they
have big mouths like bullfrogs and fly like bats. I love hearing about
local bird names like that (although for all I know that could be a
widespread name for them, but I hadn't heard it before).
>

Andrea and all,
In Northwest Florida where I grew up, Common Nighthawks were called
Bullbats. I agree that your guess makes sense -- but local bird (& other
animal) names often make no apparent sense. As likely is just the fact that
CONIs fly in early evening, about the same time as bats, and that they are
big ("bulls").
I say this in context of dragonflies being called "darning needles,"
tortoises being called "gophers" and skinks being known as "scorpions."
David White
mailto:drmwhite at nets.com
Santa Fe NM (temporarily in Mountlake Terrace WA)