164 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



mullion on which I was leaning showing signs of consider- 

 able weakness. I wetted my fingers and made some mud 

 from a dirty beam^ hoping an egg might adhere to 

 them^ but with no avails as it was not sticky enough, 

 and I was obliged to give up the attempt, having no 

 desire to make so rapid a descent as I might have done. 

 What would I not have given for a bottle of gum, or a tea- 

 spoon ! but there was no time to go down and return, as I 

 was compelled to leave by a particular train. This was in 

 August 1869. The nest is thus described in Yarrell's 

 'British Birds/ vol. ii. p. 375 : — "The nest is placed in holes 

 of rocks or buildings, and is described as being small, for 

 the size of the bird ; semicircular when placed against a 

 vertical surface, and formed of straws, grasses, and leaves, 

 with moss, or almost any other material it can collect on the 

 wing, the whole being glued together with its saliva.'^ 



The only specimen which, as far as I am aware, has 

 occurred in Sussex, was seen sitting on a rail at St. 

 Leonards-on-Sea early in October 1851, and was knocked 

 down by a boy. It passed into the possession of Mr. 

 Johnson, chemist, of that place (Zoologist, p. 3330). 



CAPRIMULGID^. 



NIGHTJAR. 



Caprimulgus europmiis. 



The Nightjar, Fern Owl, or Goatsucker, is migratory, appear- 

 ing about the middle of May, and leaving the country 

 towards the middle of September. It is found in all the 

 wooded districts, as well as on the open Downs and heaths. 



