124 Nightjar 



some interesting notes on the species when engaged in migrating 

 (crossing the Channel) : 



" Every other migrant I am acquainted witli pursues its course 

 with but slight deviation from the point for which it is making ; 

 these species, however, may frequently be observed hawking about 

 over salt water in much the same manner as a Swallow or Martin 

 over a pond or river. On one occasion I carefully noted the move- 

 ments of a party of two or three of these birds skimming round the 

 steamboat from which I was watching them. The sea was without 

 a ripple : and every action, as they rose and fell in the air or darted 

 over the surface, was plainly visible ; and I was easily able to keep 

 them in view for at least a quarter of an hour, though now and then 

 at a distance of three or four hundred yards. To the best of my 

 recollection I have never noticed one of these birds at sea after 

 eight or nine o'clock in the morning ; and I believe they generally 

 reach the coast at a still earlier hour. It is a singular fact that, 

 although they by no means hasten their journey over the Channel, 

 and remain (as previously described) for a considerable time either 

 searching for food or sweeping in a sportive manner over the surface, 

 I have never noticed one so engaged over any of the inland waters 

 in the neighbourhood of their summer haunts. I have studied their 

 habits in the vicinity of the highland lochs and the larger broads 

 in the eastern counties, and have been unable to record a single 

 instance where they followed their prey over the surface of either 

 loch or broad." 



A Thorpe gunner — and a very good observer too — told me that 

 he saw a Nightjar " fishing " on the mere about sunset, September 

 6th (iSqcS). He watched the performance for a quarter of an hour or 

 more. The bird seemed to plunge into the water " like a little owd 

 Tern," as he expressed it. In this case, I make no doubt that there 

 were a number of moths, or other suitable prey, flying just over the 

 surface of the water, or actually fluttering in the water, and, in 

 order to seize them in its flight, the Nightjar " stooped " at the 

 insects like a hawk, on each occasion the body of the bird touching 

 the water, and raising a small cloud of spray, and so giving rise to the 

 idea that it was actually engaged in fishing. 



Nightjars possess the habit of casting up the indigestible parts 

 of their food in the form of long pellets. These are frequentl}- found 

 on the ground about their diurnal resting places, and afford clear 

 evidence of their presence in the neighbourhood. 



One last word : despite all the suggestive names which have 

 been lavished on this bird, it is absolutely harmless ; indeed, not many 

 are more beneficial. It is a voracious feeder, and its diet is not 

 only purely insectivorous, but it is mainly of insects which are actively 

 noxious, like the cockchafer. 



The game-preserver has no cause of complaint against the 

 Nightjar, which deserves protection at the hands of sportsmen, 

 farmers and naturalists alike. 



