THE NIGHTJAR 12¢ 
it is familiarly known as the Martlet, the figure of which is a device 
of frequent occurrence in heraldic coats of arms, and denotes that 
the original wearer of the distinction served as a crusader pilgrim. 
In Arabia it is still known by the name of Hadji, or Pilgrim, to 
denote its migratory habits. 
FAMILY CAPRIMULGID 
THE NIGHTJAR 
CAPRIMULGUS EUROPZUS 
General plumage ash-grey, spotted and barred with black, brown and reddish 
brown ; first three primaries with a large white patch, on the inner web ; 
two outer tail-feathers on each side tipped with white. Length ten inches 
and a quarter; breadth twenty-two inches. Eggs whitish, beautifully 
marbled with brown and ash. 
Tuis bird used to be described as a nocturnal robber who finds 
his way into the goat-pens, sucks the dugs of the goats, poisoning 
them to such an extent that the animals themselves are blinded, 
and their udders waste away. This fable we notice in order to 
account for the strange name Goatsucker, by which it was formerly 
so well known. The bird has, indeed, strangely enough, been known 
all over Europe by an equivalent for this name from the earliest 
times. The bird itself is perfectly inoffensive, singular in form and 
habits, though rarely seen alive near enough for its peculiarities 
of form and colour to be observed. Its note, however, is familiar 
enough to persons who are in the habit of being out late at night 
in such parts of the country as it frequents. The silence of the 
evening or midnight walk in June is occasionally broken by a deep 
churr-churr-err which seemingly proceeds from the lower bough of 
a tree, a hedge, or paling. Anda whirring of the wings comes often 
from their being brought in contact as the birds twist in insect- 
hunting.1. The churring is nearly monotonous but not quite so, 
as it occasionally rises or falls about a quarter of a note, and appears 
to increase and diminish in loudness. Nor does it seem to proceed 
continuously from exactly the same spot, but to vary its position, 
as if the performer were either a ventriloquist or were actually 
shifting his ground. The bird perches with its feet resting length- 
wise on a branch, its claws not being adapted for grasping, and 
turns its head from side to side, thus throwing the sound as it 
were in various directions, and producing the same effect as if it 
proceeded from different places. I have repeatedly worked my 
1 Mr. Bell informs me that it is so like the croak of the Natter- Jack Toad, 
that he has more than once doubted from which of the two the sound proceeded. 
