The Scottish Naturalist. 105 



of the German Ocean became dry land, and afforded a passage 



for the great mass of our plants and animals. That they did not 



cross all at once we may be sure. In the first place, it would be 



a long time before the soil of that wide plain would be in a fit 



condition to support plant-life. Probably the great floods that 



would frequently inundate it — for a large river flowed through it 



— deposited mud and gravel on which, as it became drier, plants 



could grow. 



( To he continued.) 



NOTES ON THE BIKDS OF THE BASIN OP THE TAY 

 AND ITS TEIBUT ARIES. 



By Colonel H. M. DRUMMOND HAY, C.M.Z.S., B.O.U., &c. 



( Continued from page 62, ) 



19. Caprimulgus europ.eus, Linn. (Night Jar 



or Goatsucker.) 



In the lower parts of the district the Night-Jar is now much 

 less abundant than in former years. In the Highland quarter, 

 however, it is still to be found fairly represented ; but from its 

 decidedly nocturnal habits, few opportunities occur of its being 

 observed in broad daylight. Occasionally, however, and especi- 

 ally in autumn, solitary individuals are not unfrequently to be 

 met along the moor-side or other exposed spots, squatted length- 

 wise on some dyke or rail, or jjerhaps seated on the ground 

 motionless — resembling, in this peculiar position and colour 

 of plumage, so much some natural excresence, as not to be 

 easily detected from surrounding objects — till, suddenly rising 

 on the wing, the passer-by is startled by its unexpected appear- 

 ance from almost under his feet. Having always observed these 

 autumn birds to be those of the season, I have been led to believe 

 that the parent birds, though late in their arrival (about the end 

 of May), are among some of the first of our summer visitants to 

 take their departure, leaving their young to follow as best they 

 may. Though never fortunate enough in this district to have 

 come across the two eggs, which the female invariably deposits 

 on the bare ground, without any form of nest, or to have obtained 

 any information as to their breeding in any of the upper parts, 

 yet, I think, from the fact of the young being found in autumn, 

 and the peculiar churring note of the old birds being constantly 



