"Nighthawk" refers to a cowboy who drew the short straw and had to ride the night shift watching over the cattle herd. His duties included keeping the cattle calm and preventing potential stampedes and cattle straying, triggered by predators, sudden noises, or rustlers. Sometimes their calming tactics included singing to the cattle, which also served the dual purpose of keeping the cowboy awake. Nighthawking became an essential task for the success of cattle drives, ensuring safety and smooth operations for the long and arduous journeys.