CHAPTER X 



NIGHT-J4RS, SHIFTS, AND HUMMING-BIRDS 



NIGHT-JARS 



IT is probable that the NlGHT-JARS are the 

 nearest allies of the Owls. As pointed out 

 in the last chapter, although the latter 

 have acquired the habits of the Hawk and Eagle 

 Tribe, they are not really connected with that 

 group by descent. 



Soberly clad, so as to be in complete harmony 

 with its surroundings, with large eyes, huge 

 mouth, and peculiarly short beak, beset with 

 long bristles, the night-jar may be distinguished 

 at once from all other British birds. By day it 

 hides, squatting close to the ground, or perched 

 on the thick branch of a tree ; but when on the 

 latter, it sits along and not across the bough, 

 like other birds, the complete harmony between 

 its plumage and the bark rendering it as invisible 

 as when on the ground. 



Not until the spring has far advanced does 

 this bird leave its winter resort in Africa for 

 Europe, making its presence known by its con- 

 spicuous habit of hunting its food (which consists 

 of moths and beetles) after twilight has fallen. Later, its extraordinary churring note is heard - 



Phiti bj A. S. Rudland 6f Sent 



COMMON NIGHT-JAR 



Knmvn also as Ftrn-oivl and Goat-sucker 



thtubj A, S. Rud 



PENNANT-WINGED NIGHT-JAR (FRONT VIEW) 



The long and graceful flumes art much-lengthened ijuill-Jeathers, and by their resemblance to the waving grass in -which the bird nests aford 



6t 



protection 



481 



