CHAPTER III 

 MIGRATORY BIRDS 



INSECTIVOROUS AND HARMLESS 



THE NIGHTJAR or GOATSUCKER (Caprimulgus europceus), Fig. 23, 

 upper figure, included in the Fissirostral (Split-bill) section of the 

 Insessores, family Caprimulgidae and sub-family Caprimulginae, 

 gains its appellation from the shrill whirring sound which it pro- 

 duces. The name of Goatsucker is derived from the superstitious 

 notion that it sucks goats. It arrives in Britain at the beginning 

 of May and leaves in September or later. It may be seen, on the 

 approach of evening, silently wheeling round the trees, capturing 

 the nocturnal moths and beetles and gnats. When flying the 

 mouth is continually cpen, and the interior is covered with a glutin- 

 ous substance, and this with the bristles placed along each side of 

 the upper mandible prevents any insect secured from escaping 

 without shutting it. The flying with the mouth open occasions 

 the whirring noise made while chasing prey, and is lew or loud 

 according to the velocity with which the bird moves. When 

 perched, usually lengthwise on a bare twig, it utters a jarring note. 

 It is solitary in its habits and generally seen alone. The colours of 

 the plumage are black, white, brown, grey, and ferruginous, dis- 

 posed in the forms of bars, spots and streaks, which have a beautiful 

 effect, the male having an oval white spot near the end of the three 

 first quill feathers. Its length is about loj in. The Goat- 

 suckers frequent moors and wild heathy tracts, especially where 

 ferns abound. They make no nest, but the female deposits two 

 or three eggs on the bare ground, which are of a dull white spotted 

 with brown. 



The COMMON SWIFT (Cypselus apus) is generally included in the 

 family of Insessorial birds. Hirundinidae or Swallows, of which it 

 is made to form one of the sub-family Cypselinae, but by some 

 naturalists is considered more clcsely allied to the Goatsuckers. 

 Its colour is a sombre or sooty black, a whitish patch appear- 

 ing beneath the chin. The beak is black, and the " gape " or 

 opening of the mouth exceedingly wide. It flies abroad chiefly in 

 the morning and evening hours, and is readily distinguished by the 

 peculiar swift, shooting flight, and shrill cry. It arrives in this 



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