CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



GOATSUCKER. 



Case 4. 



The Goatsucker, or Fern Owl, though unknown to 

 many from its nocturnal habits, is a common bird from 

 north to south. 



I have noticed it as particularly numerous in Sussex, 

 Norfolk, and Ross-shire. 



It arrives in this country in May, and usually takes 

 its departure as soon as the rough weather in the 

 autumn commences. 



I have often at dusk seen several flying about the 

 streets and round the chimneys, in towns on the 

 southern and eastern coasts, during a gale of wind, 

 previous to their departure. 



The nest is placed in an open spot on a heath or 

 moor, or on the middle of a foot-track through a wood. 

 The birds rest quietly on the ground by day, and as 

 soon as dusk sets in commence their jarring note, from 

 which they derive the name of Nightjar. Their food 

 consists mainly of moths and night-flying insects. 

 They have a most capacious mouth, and are provided 

 with a serrated claw, which is supposed by country 

 people to be intended for combing the scales or down 

 of the moths from their whiskers. 



The birds were obtained on the Hill of Tarlogie, near 

 Tain, in Ross-shire, in June, 1869. 



SWALLOW. 



Case 5. 



There are several weeks in the spring during which 

 Swallows may be daily observed landing on our shores. 



B 2 



