162 Mr. C. Ingram — Ornithological 



interesting birds were to be seen^ but it was doubtless then 

 too early in the year for them 



57. Caprimulgus jotaka Temm. & Schl. Japanese 

 Nightjar. 



Caprimulgus jotaka Seebohm, B. Jap. Erap. p. 178. 



Jap. : Yotaka. 



This bird was common round Subashiri, and from twilight 

 onwards through the night its peculiar notes could frequently 

 be heard. This cry has been likened, with some truth, to 

 the sound produced by a pebble being rapped smartly on a 

 sheet of ice — a sharp, resonant chook, chook, chook, uttered 

 several times in quick succession. Three pairs of eggs 

 were taken in the neighbourhood on May 26th and 

 June 3rd and 4th respectively. The first two eggs (taken 

 by myself) were deposited on a small bare patch of black 

 ground, under the shelter of some pine-trees. Owing to 

 the light colour of these eggs, when uncovered, they shewed 

 very distinctly against the dark background and consequently 

 displayed a dangerous lack of protective coloration. 



When returning to the eggs the bird approaches from a 

 distance and, with gliding flight, goes straight and un- 

 hesitatingly to the spot. I observed that the female while 

 incubating kept her large eyes nearly closed. Did she 

 object to the bright light of the sun or was it done 

 for the sake of better concealment ? Of course, in nature, 

 it must be remembered eyes are often the first means of 

 betraying the presence of an otherwise inconspicuous 

 creature and by screening these bright parts assimilation 

 would be greatly enhanced. 



The eggs resemble light varieties of those of C. europaus. 

 Average size 128 x 0-89 in. 



58. Asio OTUs (Linn.). Long-eared Owl. 

 Strix otus Seebohm, B. Jap. Emp. p. 186. 

 Jap. : Tora-fu-dzuku. 



When at Subashiri two white eggs, undoubtedly belonging 

 to this species, were brought to me on May 15th. Measuring 

 1"6 X 1 3 in,, they agree perfectly with European examples. 



