NIGHTJAR. 175 



horse's hoof is a favourite spot ; and the bird, as she sits 

 closely upon her eggs, escapes notice, from the protec- 

 tive colouring alluded to above. Mr. Norgate says that, 

 on 29th June, 1876, he saw a female Nightjar sitting on 

 her two young ones, which were nearly feathered. The 

 old bird, on his approach, remained motionless, except 

 that it closed or nearly closed its large eyes, or at 

 any rate that eye which he could see, as if aware that 

 its eyes were the most conspicuous part of it. The 

 young birds are of a lighter colour than the old birds, 

 and are without the white spots conspicuous on the 

 wings and tails of the males. They are usually hatched 

 out by the middle of July. 



Both the Nightjar and the Cuckoo have very frequently 

 been mistaken for hawks ; and zealous gamekeepers in 

 England add them to the trophies hanging on the stable- 

 door, or in front of the cottage. No more harmless 

 bird, however, can be found than our interesting friend. 

 The moth, the beetle, the cockchafer, alone have cause 

 to fear that swift and noiseless wing, that wide and 

 snapping mouth. The common error preserved in our 

 name Goat-sucker, and the German, Geissmelker, is ad- 

 mirably exposed by Waterton. " When the moon shines 

 brightly," he says, " you may have a fair opportunity of 

 examining the Goat-sucker ; you will see it close by the 

 cows, goats, and sheep, jumping up every now and then 

 under their bellies. Approach a little nearer ; he is not 

 shy ; * he fears no danger, for he knows no sin.' See 

 how the nocturnal flies are tormenting the poor kine, 

 and with what dexterity he springs up and catches 

 them as fast as they alight on the belly, legs, and udders 

 of the poor animals. Observe how quietly they stand, 



