THE NIGHTJAR AND HIS RATTLE-SONG 143 



silent night, the rattling continuing from a minute to 

 five minutes on end. 



About the nightjar's mouth are great stiff bristles, 

 which, with the curious combs at the sides of the 



After a good night's huntir, 



middle toes, may help him in catching and holding his 

 prey. 



He is known by many names, but nightjar and eve jar 

 suit him best. Country people call him the night-hawk. 

 He was named fern-owl from his love of bracken, 

 being as closely associated with bracken as the part- 



