NIGHTJAR. 281 



nished with a row of strong hairs, directed forwards along each margin. 

 Nostrils basal, large, partly closed by a membrane, and partly covered by 

 the feathers of the forehead. Feet with three toes in front, one behind ; 

 the anterior toes united as far as the first articulation, the hind toe re- 

 versible; the claws short, except that of the middle toe, which is long and 

 serrated on the inner edge. Wings long; the first feather shorter than 

 the second, which is the longest in the wing. 



THE NIGHTJAR, or Nightchurr, both names having re- 

 ference to a particular noise made by the bird, which re- 

 sembles the sound of a spinning-wheel, is, I believe, the 

 only nocturnal bird among our summer visitors. It has 

 been remarked that the Nightjars are among the Swallows 

 what the Owls are among the FalconicUe. These nocturnal, 

 or night Swallows, as they have been sometimes called, do 

 not differ much from the diurnal Swallows, either in their 

 prey, or in the mode of taking it ; but their habit of fly- 

 ing and taking their prey on the wing during several hours 

 both in the morning and in the evening, feeding almost 

 entirely on cockchafers and moths, is of great service to 

 the agriculturist, by thus consuming the prolific source of 

 innumerable grubs and caterpillars. 



The Nightjar, like the Swallow, comes to this country 

 from Africa. It is the latest arrival in order of date, ex- 

 cept the Spotted Flycatcher, not making its appearance 

 here till the middle of May, and generally leaves again by 

 the end of August or the middle of September, but remain- 

 ing near a month later in Italy before it seeks its winter 

 quarters ; occasionally, though very rarely, staying much 

 longer here, since Montagu mentions having shot one as 

 late as the 8th of November, 1805, in Devonshire ; and 

 Mr. Crouch says that one was shot in Cornwall, as if in 

 departure, November 27, 1821. 



The Nightjar appears to prefer moors, heaths, and com- 

 mons that are partially covered with bushes and patches of 

 fern ; I have known them constantly frequent young wood 



