arr 
or on short moss, frequently in open patches on heaths. The eggs, which measure about 
1:20 x 0°85 inches, are white, blotched and marbled with blackish brown and purplish grey. 
The note of the Nightjar, when perched, is like the loud and prolonged purr of a eat, or 
a “ ch-u-rr”’-like sound, which on still evenings may be heard at some distance ; but while on 
the wing its common note is a clear and somewhat rapidly repeated “ coic, coic.” 
“Gamekeepers either shoot the Nightjar in the belief that it is a species of hawk, or 
they nail it up in their museums along with cuckoos and kestrels to imcrease their show of 
vermin, under the impression that their employers will not discover that these birds are not 
hawks of some kind that are injurious to game.” 
I will conclude with a couple of extracts from letters written in 1769 by that delightful 
naturalist, Gilbert White, of Selborne:—“ . . There is no bird, I believe, whose manners, 
I have studied more than those of the Caprimulgus, as it ig a wonderful and curious creature ; 
but I have always found that, though sometimes it 
may chatter as it flies, as I know it does, yet iu 
general it utters its jarring note sitting on a bough, 
and I have for many a half hour watched it as it sat 
with its under mandible quivering, and particularly 
this summer. It perches usually on a bare twig with 
its head lower than its tail. This bird is most 
punctual in beginning its song exactly at the close of 
day; so exactly that I have known it strike up more 
than once or twice just at the report of the Portsmouth 
evening gun, which we can hear when the weather is 
still. It appears to me past all doubt that its notes 
are formed by organic impulse, by the powers of the 
parts of its windpipe formed for sound, just as cats purr . . .” “ . . The powers 
of its wing were wonderful, exceeding, if possible, the various evolutions and quick turns of 
the swallow genus. But the circumstance that pleased me most was, that I saw it distinctly, 
more than once, put out its short leg while on the wing, and, by a bend of the head, deliver 
somewhat into its mouth. If it takes any part of its prey with its foot, as I have now the 
greatest reason to suppose it does these chafers, I no longer wonder at the use of its middle 
toe, which is curiously furnished with a serrated claw.” 
(Some of the above information taken from “ British Birds,’ Seebohm, and ‘Our Country’s Birds,” 
STARLING. No. 4.— 
—SWALLOWS. No. 5._KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No. 10.—-KESTREL. No. 14.—PLOYERS. 
Others in course of preparation. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms:—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.: one dozen, 8d.; 100, 1s. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d.; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six numbers, 
4d.; or 50 assorted numbers, 1s, Special terms for larger quantities to County Councils, the Constabulary 
and Schools. 
The Society’s Publisking Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, Londcn, W.C, 1896, 
