OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 165 



it goes north at this season to get the advantage of the 

 warmer cHmate and, consequently, more abundant insect 

 food. 



Like nearly all the night-flying birds, the Spotted Nightjar 

 is beneficial to man, taking up, as it does, the battle against 

 insect pests as other insectivorous birds are retiring from the 

 field for the night and insuring a constant warfare being 

 maintained against these orchard and garden enemies. 

 Grasshoppers, beetles, and soft-bodied insects are generally to 

 be found in the stomachs of dissected specimens. 



Nest. — Simply the ground, and in close relation to a stone, 

 &c., to serve as a partial breakwind. 



Eggs. — One only for a sitting ; of a uniform light ohve- 

 stone colour, with here and there a roundish purple blotch or 

 spot (A. J. Campbell). Length, 1 inch ^ Hues ; breadth, 

 1 inch 1 J hues. 



