292 CAPRIMULGID^. 



serrated middle claw. White, and another observer, quoted 

 by Yarrell, have seen the bird while on the wing capture 

 insects with the claw and transfer them to the mouth. 

 Wilson, on the other hand, states that the use of this 

 singular structure is to enable the bird to rid itself of 

 vermin, to which it is much exposed by its habit of re- 

 maining at rest during the heat of the day. As he has 

 actually observed a bird in captivity thus employing its 

 claw, it would follow that the same organ is used for 

 a twofold purpose. 



The Nightjar is a migratory bird and the last to arrive 

 in this country, appearing not before the middle of May. 

 It is found more or less sparingly in all parts of England, 

 especially those which abound most in woods interspersed 

 with heaths and brakes. In the wooded valleys of Devon- 

 shire it is of frequent occurrence, and here it has been 

 known to remain so late in the season as ]^ovember, 

 whereas from most other localities it migrates southwards 

 about the middle or end of September. It builds no nest, 

 but lays its singularly beautiful eggs, two in number, on 

 the ground among the dry herbage of the common. 



Other names by which it is locally known are Fern Owl, 

 Wheeler, and JS'ightchurr. 



THE GREEN WOODPECKER. 



PICUS VIRIDIS. 



Upper plmnage green ; under, greenish asli ; crown, back of the head, and 

 moustaches crimson ; face black. Female — less crimson on the head ; mous- 

 taches black. Length thirteen inches; breadth twenty-one inches. Eggs 

 glossy white. 



Commonest among the natural sounds of the country, is 

 that of the 



" Woodpecker tapping the hollow beech tree :" 

 So at least many people suj)pose ; but, in reality, one may 

 walk through the woods many times and hear no tapping 

 at all, and even if such a sound be detected and traced 

 to its origin, it Avill more probably be found to proceed 



