THE NIGHT-JAR. 169 



to it ; for this striking- at the cattle is, in fact, the leap 

 taken by the bird at the flies which in the evening tor- 

 ment the herd — a service of which these creatures are 

 sensible. 



White of Selborne says : — " This bird is most punc- 

 tual 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 even- 

 ing gun, which we can hear when the weather is still." 



The night-jar makes no nest, but lays two eggs 

 amongst fern, heath, or long grass, and sometimes in 

 woods or furze, on the bare ground, but at all times 

 near to woods, where it conceals itself during the day. 

 It generally sits on the earth ; but if disturbed, fre- 

 quently perches on the branch of a tree, not across, as 

 is usual with most birds, but generally lengthwise. 



