236 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Materials.- None, the eggs being laid on the 

 bare ground. 



Egg s - Two ; ground - colour white, greyish- 

 white, or creamy-white, clouded, blotched, marbled, 

 or veined with dark brown, and underlying tints of 

 bluish lead- colour. They are subject to great varia- 

 tion, and often closely resemble flint pebbles one may 

 pick up on the beach with chalk adhering to them ; 

 in fact, I have on more than one occasion been de- 

 ceived by one of these pebbles lying under a furze 

 bush. Size about 1.25 by .87 in. (See Plate V.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in May and de- 

 parting in September or October. Notes: jar- 

 r-r-r-r-r and dee, dee, said to be uttered on taking 

 flight. Local and other names : Goatsucker, Dor- 

 hawk, Fen Owl, Nighthawk, Wheelbird, Jar Owl, 

 Churn Owl, Goat Owl. Sits very closely, trusting 

 to the wonderful harmony of her plumage with sur- 

 rounding objects. When at roost in trees it generally 

 perches along and not across a branch, thus consider- 

 ably enhancing its chances of escaping detection. 



NIGHTJAR COVERING YOUNG. 



