BIRDS. I2Q 



Nightjar, or Goatsucker B. Provincial name, Fern Owl. 

 Caprimulgus Europaus. A nocturnal bird, rarely seen abroad 

 May ii. Sept. iv. in the daytime. Not uncommon in 

 ferny glades in upland woods, where it 

 may be seen hawking for beetles and moths, and, from 

 time to time uttering the curious jarring cry, from which 

 it takes its name. It is numerous round the Wrekin, 

 and near Market Drayton. The name of Goatsucker 

 (Caprimulgus), was given to it under the erroneous im- 

 pression that it sucked the udders of goats and cows. 



Wryneck B. A shy bird with the habits of a Woodpecker 



lynx lorquilla. and the colouring of a Nightjar, only 



Apl. ii. Sept. in. paler. Found sparingly in summer in 



the southern parts of the County, but 



very rare in the northern half. It has nested several 



times near Ludlow and Buildwas. 



COMMON, or GREEN WOODPECKER B. Provincial 

 Gccinus viridis. name, Yawkle ; in allusion to its loud 



laughing cry, usually uttered during 

 flight from one tree to another. A brilliantly coloured bird, 

 common to all those parts of the County that are well- 

 timbered, especially the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, 

 Ironbridge, and along the Church Stretton Valley. 

 It does not often quit the trees, but it is said to alight 

 sometimes on the ground to search for ants. 



GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER B. Fairly com- 

 Dendrocopus major. mon. The three species usually frequent 

 such parts of trees as are proportion- 

 ate to their size. The Green Woodpecker selects the 

 trunk and larger limbs ; the Great Spotted, the main 

 boughs ; the Lesser Spotted, the small upper boughs. 



