272 



time runs to the front of the cage and takes the food off the pins: if his 

 appetite is keen lie will soon strip all the pins of food, when a fresh supply 

 is placed in readiness. Since the bird has been full grown he has a scanty 

 meal at eight a.m. and a full feed at night. 



This species (at any rate in captivity) does not feed constantly like 

 other birds, but thoroughly satisfies its hunger and then rests either on 

 floor or bough. He takes a few drops of water from a spoon, but drinks 

 very little. These birds are particularly fond of a sun bath ; if the cage be 

 taken into the garden he will lie on the floor and stretch himself out and 

 bask in the sun like a cat on a sunny bank. They have many curious ways 

 — one is in the preening of their feathers ; before turning their head round 

 to plume the feathers of the back or wings, they have a habit of swaying 

 from side to side for several seconds. 



The Nightjar has six or eight strong bristles, much like black horse- 

 hair, situated each side of the top mandible; these are renewed with each 

 moult, and they are of great utility to the bird, as they act as a barrier 

 against the escape of any struggling insect. For instance, I have noticed 

 that, if the bird should capture a large moth by the wing, and should it be 

 onlv held by the tips of the beak, the moth often escapes when the bird 

 attempts to jerk it into the mouth ; but should a large insect be caught at 

 the side of the mouth the bristles prevents its escape and the bird imnie- 

 diatelv depresses its head and shortens its neck and remains quite still 

 until the insect ceases to move, then it is suddenly jerked into the mouth 

 and swallowed at a gulp. 



Whether the Nightjar in its wild state moults twice a year I cannot 

 defiuitelv say, but my bird has a vernal as well as an autumnal moult, the 

 former taking place in February, the latter early in September. They wiH 

 at times dust themselves like a l 4 ark ; if fine dust is placed in its cage my 

 bitd will walk upon the heap and shuffle along with the breast low down*, 

 I seldom use sand, but take him on my hand and turn the water tap gently 

 on him ; it takes some time to get the feathers wet, and then only the ends 

 are damp, as the water runs off as from a duck's back. Tf the feathers are 

 well wetted, by keeping the tap going, the plumage does not become really 

 smooth for two or three days afterwards: this shower bath is much enjoyed. 

 He is exceedingly tame and regularly plays with my hand by running at it 

 and pushing his beak between my fingers, croaking the while in an undertone. 

 He was verv restless during the first autumn of his captivity, the migration 

 instinct evidently being very strong, but by taking him out of the cage and 

 giving hiin flight and exercise he gradually cpiieted down and now there is 

 no trouble with him at this period. He has got so used to the time for 

 bein" allowed to fly about that he begins to run along the front of the cage 

 eagerly looking for my appearance, just as the lions at Regent's Park look 

 for the keeper at feeding time. When he has had his liberty for an hour I 

 take him on mv hand, open the door of his cage and he jumps off on to his 



