90 NIGHTJAR. 



In heraldry, the Swift is known as the Martlet. 



[Cypselus melba — White-bellied Swift.] 



[Alpine Swift— Yane//.] 



A rare straggler to England, and has occurred in Ireland. 



[Genus — Acanthyllis.] 



[AcANTHYLLis CAUDACUTA — Needle-tailed Swift] 



Near Colchester, Essex, 1846 ; and Ringwood, Hants, 1879. 



Family— CAPRIMULGID^. 



Genus— CAPRIMULGUS. 



CAPRIMULGUS EUROPyEUS— Nightjar. 



The Nightjar, or Fern Owl as it is more commonly called in 

 Herefordshire, so sober in colour, so exquisite in the markings of its 

 plumage, so singular in its habits and its note, is not infrequent in 

 the northern and western districts of the county, but is comparatively 

 rare elsewhere. It delights in high, stony hills in the neighbourhood 

 of large patches of the common brake, as well as in woods and 

 plantations ; particularly in woods of oak. The constant repetition 

 of the jarring note of the cock bird, heard in the dusk of the 

 evening, will more often make its presence known than the sight 

 of the bird itself. 



By the lingering light I scarce discern, 

 The shrieking Nightjar sail on heavy wing. 



Charlotte Smith— Sonnet. 



The rich, but quiet colour of finely mottled grey and brown, 

 resembling very closely the moths it is so fond of, and its nocturnal 

 habits, tend to conceal it from observation. On the excursion of the 

 Woolhope Club to Brampton Bryan Park, June 29th, 1882, a Night- 

 jar was found just caught in one of the keeper's destructive pole 

 traps. In the neighbourhood of Ledbury, of Ludlow, of Aymestrey, 

 and of Kington, at Foxley, Garnstone, and at Moccas its jarring 



