NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. loi 



Family CAPRIMULGID.E. Genus Caprimulgus. 



RED-NECKED NIGHTJAR. 



Caprimulgus ruficollis, Temnwick. 



(British : Very rare abnormal autumn (?) migrant.) 



Single Brooded probably. Laying season, May and June. 



Breeding area : South-western Palsearctic region. 

 The Red-necked Nightjar breeds in the southern half of 

 the Spanish Peninsula, and in North-west Africa from 

 Morocco and the Canary Islands to Tunis. 



Breeding habits : But Httle has been recorded of 

 the habits of the Red-necked Nightjar. It is a regular 

 summer visitor to Spain, and frequents wooded and 

 scrub-covered districts, but so far as can be determined, 

 there is nothing strikingly different in its economy from 

 that of the common British species. Of its pairing habits 

 nothing appears to be known. The nest — if such it can 

 be called — is merely a hollow in the ground. 



Range OF egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Red-necked Nightjar are two in number, 

 and with the exception of being on an average slightly 

 less spotted, do not differ from those of the Common 

 Nightjar in colour. Average measurement, 1*3 inch in 

 length by 'Zj inch in breadth. Incubation period un- 

 known ; incubating sex also unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of this species 

 may usually be distinguished from those of the Common 

 Nightjar by their slightly larger size and less amount of 

 marking. No character is known by which they may be 

 completely diagnosed. 



