NIGHTJAR 



639 



genera Capimulgus, Antrostomus, Nydidromus, and others, and the 

 latter Fodager, Chordiles, Lyncornis, and a few more. 



The common Nightjar of Europe, C. mropxus, an'ives late in 

 spring from its winter retreat in Africa, and its presence is soon 

 made known to us by its habit of chasing its i^rey, consisting chiefly 

 of moths and cockchafers, in the evening-tAvilight. As the season 

 advances the song of the cock, from its singularity, attracts attention 

 amid all rural sounds. It seems to be always uttered when the 

 bird is at rest, though the contrary has been asserted, and is the 

 continuous rei^etition of a single burring note, as of a thin lath fixed 

 at one end and in a state of vibration at the other, loud enough 

 to reach in still weather a distance of half-a-mile or more. On the 





Nightjar, Caprimulgus europcens. 



wing, Avhile toying Avith its mate, or performing its rapid evolutions 

 round the trees where it finds its food, the bird has the habit of 

 occasionally producing another and equally extraordinary sound, 

 sudden and short, but somewhat resembling that made by swinging 

 a thong in the air, though in Avhat way this noise is produced is not 

 ascertained. In general its flight is silent, but at times when 

 disturbed from its repose, its wings may be heard to smite together. 

 The Nightjar or, to use perhaps its commoner English name, 

 Goatsucker,^ passes the day in slumber, crouching on the ground or 

 perching on a tree — in the latter case sitting not across the branch 

 but lengthways, with its head lower than its body. In hot weather,^ 

 however, its song may sometimes be heard by day and even at 

 noontide, but it is then uttered, as it were, drowsily, and without the 



^ Other English names of the bird arc Churn-Owl, Evejar, Fern-Owl, Tfight- 

 Hawk, Puckeridge and Wheel-bird — the last from the bird's song resembling the 

 noise made by a spinning-wheel in motion. 



