PlCARIyE. ( 258 ) CAPRIMULCIDM. 



THE NIGHTJAR 



GOATSUCKER, FERN OWL, CHURN OWL, JAR OWL, DOR HAWK, 

 NIGHT HAWK, NIGHT CHURR. 



Caprimulgus europceus. 



While o'er the cliff th' awaken' d Chnrn Owl hntig, 

 Through the still gloom protracts its chattering song. 



Gilbert White. 



The arrival of this interesting bird in the county does not 

 generally take place until May is well advanced, it being 

 one of the latest of our summer migrants. Shortly after- 

 wards it may be seen in the twilight of fine evenings, 

 hawking for moths and other insects along the borders 

 and glades of the woods, and wheeling round trees, in its 

 usual haunts, which are secluded wooded districts in the 

 vicinity of moors, where ferns abound ; the neighbourhood 

 of Abbey St. Bathans^ and Penmanshiel being favourite 

 resorts. Here it may be observed following a regular 

 line of flight many times in succession ; if the wind or 

 weather change, its beat is altered to places where its prey 

 is most plentiful. The Nightjar being a nocturnal bird is, 

 however, oftener heard than seen, the peculiar churring note 

 which it utters in the dusk of the evening, while resting on 



1 Mr. Kelly records tliat Nightjars are plentiful about Abbey St. Bathans, 

 where he says he has occasionally seen them hunting like Swallows for flies 

 amongst cattle. — Hist. Ber. Nat. C'hcb, vol. viii. p. 145. 



