The Nightjar 



THE Nightjar, Goatsucker, or Fern Owl, 

 as this bird is variously known, has its 

 winter quarters in Africa. It arrives in 

 this country during the month of May, 

 and after the breeding season is over, retires 

 in September on its long southward journey. 



It is a lover of heather-clad commons 

 and woods with open glades in which plenty 

 of bracken grows, and breeds in suitable 

 localities all over the British Islands. 



One cannot understand why it has had 

 the common name of " Goatsucker " be- 

 stowed upon it, because the act implied does 

 not count amongst its many curious habits. 



It perches differently from all other 

 British birds, for, instead of sitting across a 

 branch, it lies right along it, and as it is very 

 much the colour of the bark of a tree and 

 not quite as long as a missel thrush, it thus 

 frequently escapes notice. Being a bird of 

 the twilight it does not stir by day, but is 



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