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one would imagine what a shock it gives the first time 

 you see a Nightjar open his mouth. Should the food 

 not be to his liking he spits it out, but I have found 

 ])y offering him a spoon with mealworms and soft food 

 mixed he will take it down like we do. Of water he 

 takes very little, but I have got him to drink from a 

 spoon after his meals. 



His flight is absolutely silent, more like a Hawk's, 

 and he is rather like one altogether when flying. His 

 feet are tiny and he does not grasp the perch, but sits 

 on it like a Swallow. He has a fly morning and even- 

 ing, always coming back to the top of his cage for 

 food. He is very tame and lets me hug and cuddle 

 him, never resenting it at all. I can thoroughly re- 

 commend him as a most curious and interesting pet. 



He is largely found in India, also in Ireland, as 

 well as England. He makes a most curious noise 

 elongating his throat, and opening his immense mouth 

 if at all friglitened. He specially dislikes two Mar- 

 mozets I have, and bobs up and down at them, scream- 

 ing all the time, 



I first saw a Nightjar at Mr. Galloway's at Reading. 

 He had a very tame one that flew round his garden in 

 tlie evening, returning to him, and he got me this 

 specimen. 



[The Nightjar is one of the, if not the, latest of our summer migrants 

 to reach this country, and it is also early to take its departure, usually 

 leaving' us early in September. Mr. Howard Saunders states in his Manual 

 that it has been known to remain till November in the mild South-west of 

 Kngland. Mr. Saunders also notes the fact that they do not attempt to feed 

 themselves in confinement, and that they are also known by the following 

 vulgar names : Goat-sucker, Night-hawk, Dor-hawk, Fern-oui and Churn- 

 owl. — Ed.] 



