NIGHTJAR. 379 



birds do, but lengthways*, the head being kept lower than 

 the body — a position which it commonly if not invariably 

 assumes whenever it perches ; and in such an attitude re- 

 quiring a quick eye to detect it. On the ground also it 

 squats close ; and, owing to the colour of its plumage closely 

 resembling that of the surrounding surface, is seldom seen 

 until it is almost trodden upon, when it suddenly opens its 

 wings and starts up silently as if from under the intruder's 

 feet. It generally affects dry, sandy or stony places, where 

 they exist in the neighbourhood of its haunts, and is said to 

 be partial to those in which it can bask in the sun ; but it is 

 certainly often found under the deep shade of trees where 

 the soil is comparatively free from vegetation. One habit, 

 well known to all who are acquainted with the bird, but of 

 which Mr. Dillwyn first sent word to the Author, is that of 

 stationing itself in the middle of a dusty road or pathway 

 in the summer-twilight, with the apparent object of enjoy- 

 ing a sand-bath, and of flying on, when approached, some 

 twenty or thirty yards to a similar dusty spot — a proceeding 

 it will repeat time after time, in advance of the wayfarer, 

 until it has traversed a distance perhaps of half a mile, when 

 it will wheel round and resume its station behind him. 



Like some other crepuscular animals, the Nightjar seems 

 often to have a regular range of flight which it follows many 

 times in succession ; but continued observation will shew 

 that this apparent regularity really depends on the quarter 

 whence the wind, if any, be blowing, and the consequent 

 course of the heavy-bodied insects on which the bird chiefly 

 feeds. Let the weather change and its beat is at once 

 adapted to the new conditions. So, too, at one time some 

 particular tree happens to be especially infested with cock- 

 chafers, rendering it a favourite resort of the Nightjar, which 

 may then be seen, for several consecutive evenings, wheeling 

 round the leafy mass in active pursuit of prey. During the 

 period when, in our latitudes, there is no real night, this 

 bird seems to be engaged in seeking its food from sunset till 

 dawn, but no one can say for how long it hunts when the 

 * Hence, saya Vieillot, comes one of ils vulgar names — " Cochtbranche." 



