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It is found throughout all Europe, in Africa, and parts of Asia. In this 
country it is migratory, arriving very late—about the middle or the end of May 
—and leaving at the end of September. The most characteristic habit of the 
Nightjar is that it never perches like other birds across a branch Instead of 
this, it generally lights upon a comparatively thick bough and rests upon it 
lengthways, crouching with its head so low as nearly to touch the bark. It is 
generally in this attitude when it utters its low jar-r-r-ing note, something 
between a hiss and a buzz, though it jars or churs when circling round and round 
an oak tree, which is a constant habit of these birds. Hence the names—Wheel- 
bird, Churn-owl, Jar-owl, Nightjar. 
The cock bird sometimes utters a sort of squeak when chasing his mate 
through the oaks. It is a nocturnal bird, lying quiet all day, either crouched on 
some branch the colours of which assimilate well with its own beautifully 
variegated plumage, or on a stone, or a heap of stones, among brackens. The 
cock has a white spot near the top of each wing, which are very conspicuous 
when the bird is roused from amongst the fern. From its fondness for this 
kind of covert, it has gained the name of Fern-owl. When twilight comes, it 
sallies forth in quest of food, which consists of night moths, Cockchafers, and 
various other beetles. It hawks for these on the wing, taking them with its 
mouth, the enormous gape of which enables it to capture and swallow insects 
easily. Each side of the upper lip (so to speak) is furnished with a number of 
strong bristles called vibrissee, which no doubt assist it in seizing and retaining 
its prey. 
Its powers of flight are very great, being equal, if not superior, to the swallow 
in turning and twisting suddenly. As many as six or seven have been seen 
hawking together for moths. 
The Nightjar much resembles the Swift in some particulars: both arrive 
about the beginning of May, both breed but once a summer, both lay two eggs 
—but to these characteristics it adds the downy plumage and large nocturnal 
eye of the owl. The Rev. Gilbert White in his delightful book says that 
‘“‘when a person approaches the haunt of the fern-owls in an evening, they 
continue flying round the head of the obtruder, and by striking their wings 
together above their backs in the manner that the pigeons called smiters are 
known to do, make a sharp snap. Perhaps at that time they are jealous for 
their young, and their noise and gesture are intended by way of menace.” The 
feet as well as the head of the Nightjar are peculiar; of the three anterior 
toes the middle one is by far the longest, and armed with a long - claw, which 
is furnished with a pectinated inner margin exactly resembling a small comb. 
The use of this comb has been the subject of much discussion, and is not yet 
certain. White supposed it was to aid it in capturing its prey, but this can 
hardly be the case ; and as he records having seen the bird bring its foot to its 
mouth, it has been supposed that it uses this comb to clean the vibrissze of its 
