CAPRniULGID.-F,. 



259 



THE RED-NECKED NIGHTJAR. 



Capri.mulgus rufic()LL1S, Temniinck. 



A freshly-killed example of this southern species was recognized 

 in the flesh by that eminent ornithologist Mr. John Hancock, in 

 the shop of Mr. Pape, at Newcastle, on October 6th 1S56. It was 

 stated to have been shot the previous day at Killingworth, and is 

 now in the Newcastle Museum. 



Up to the present time the Red-necked Nightjar has not been 

 noticed elsewhere in Northern Europe, but in Languedoc and Pro- 

 vence, in the south-east of France, it has several times been 

 obtained. Though not yet recorded from the mainland of Italy, 

 one was taken at Spalato, in Dalmatia, in March 1S75, ^'"'d jMf- 

 C. A. Wright has mentioned two captures in Malta during May, 

 in different years. In summer it is common in the southern half 

 of the Spanish Peninsula, where it frequents the cool chequered 

 shade of the woods during the greater part of the day ; it is also 

 said to be a regular visitor to some of the Canary Islands, while 

 eastward it is found throughout North Africa as far as Tunis. 



The eggs, 2 in number, are placed on the bare ground, and 

 resemble those of our Com.mon Nightjar; on an average they are 

 less boldly marked, and a trifle larger, as might be expected from 

 the superior size of the bird. I am not aware of any distinctive 

 points deserving of mention as regards the food and habits. 



In general pattern of coloration the Red-necked Nightjar resem- 

 bles the preceding species, but its tint is paler, and more rufous on 

 the wings and under parts ; a conspicuous tawny collar encircles the 

 head, and the throat exhibits large white patches ; the white spots 

 on the three outer primaries increase in size with the age of the 

 bird, and are small and tinged with buff in the young. They are 

 found in both sexes, and I cannot perceive any difference in plumage 

 between the male and female ; the outer pairs of tail-feathers are 

 broadly tipped with white. Length nearly 12 in. ; wing 7 -8 in. 



It has not been considered necessary to give an illustration of 

 this species, as a wood-cut would fail to render its distinctive charac- 

 ters. There are coloured illustrations of it in (iould's 'Birds of 

 Great Britain,' and in Mr. Dresser's ' Birds of Europe.' 



