268 NIGHTJAR. 



occupied by the Red-necked Nightjar, C. ruficoUis. On migration 

 from Africa our Nightjar crosses Malta, where large numbers are 

 shot for the table in spring. It breeds on the high grounds of Asia 

 Minor, Palestine, Persia, Turkestan, and Afghanistan — where its 

 plumage shows a tendency to paleness ; and it also nests on the 

 mountains of North Africa, while in winter it is found in that Con- 

 tinent down to Natal, as well as in Arabia and North-western India. 



From May 23rd onward the eggs, 2 in number, may be found on 

 the bare ground or short moss, and often on dead gorse-needles in 

 open patches among furze. They are oblong and equally rounded 

 at each end ; and creamy-white, marbled and veined with brownish- 

 black and lilac-grey : measurements i -2 by "85 in. Fresh eggs have 

 been found as late as August 12th. Incubation lasts eighteen days. 

 The nestlings, at first covered with a thick greyish down, sometimes 

 display a precocious activity approaching that of the young of 

 Gallinaceous and other ground-breeding birds ; but they are depen- 

 dent upon their parents for food, and do not attempt to feed 

 themselves in confinement. The Nightjar lives entirely upon insects, 

 and these it may be seen to take upon the wing in the twilight or 

 when the moon is shining, though it hawks for them on dark nights as 

 well ; it is not, however, averse to light, and is fond of basking where 

 the rays of the sun fall. The wings are sometimes brought into con- 

 tact and produce a loud clap ; the male also utters a sharp whistle 

 during flight, as well as a bubbling note, while the well-known, 

 vibrating churr is emitted while the bird is stationary ; the female's 

 note is chuck. When reposing on a branch the bird sits lengthways, 

 with the head level with or lower than the tail ; the use of the 

 pectinated claw has yet to be determined. From early times and in 

 almost every European language the Nightjar has been stigmatized 

 by some name equivalent to "Goat-sucker"; in England it is known 

 by the equally unfortunate designation of " Night-hawk," as well as 

 " Dor-Hawk," " P^ern-owl " and " Churn-owl." 



In the adult male the general plumage is ashy-grey, streaked, 

 spotted and barred with dark brown and warm buff ; on the throat 

 are some white patches ; near the centre of each of the three outer 

 primaries are well-developed white spots ; and the two lateral pairs 

 of tail-feathers are broadly tipped with white. These pure white 

 spots on the wings and tail are wanting in the female, and her 

 tints are less rufous. Length 10-5 in. ; wing 7-55 in. In the young 

 the pectination of the claw of the middle toe is not pronounced, and 

 the wing- and tail-spots in the male have a buffish tint. Albinisms 

 are occasionally obtained. 



