BRITISH BIRDS 



Bird. Length 10J in. 

 enormous gape with its 



Fig. 52. 



(4) Family : Caprimulgidce Nightjars 



88. Nightjar, inaptly called goatsucker, nighthawk [Capri- 

 mulgus europceus europceus Linnaeus]. Summer visitor, gener- 

 ally distributed in open woodlands and waste lands. Bird of 

 passage (E. Clarke). 



Recognised by the flattened head, 

 bristles, the intricate variegated 

 pattern of its plumage, and its 

 habit of flying in the twilight. 

 The general coloration is ash or 

 silvery - grey closely spotted, 

 streaked and barred with brown, 

 chestnut, and buff. A buff bar 

 across the wing. The male has a 

 white spot on the three outer 

 primaries (2nd, 3rd, 4th) of each wing, and white tips to the 

 two outermost tail-feathers. Otherwise the sexes are alike or 

 nearly so. 



Nest. None, though there is some evidence that the bird 

 makes a scrape. The eggs are laid on the ground among dead 

 stick, leaves, &c., usually among bracken, on waste land or in 

 open woodland. 



Eggs. Usually 2. A beautiful creamy- or greyish- white, 

 mottled and streaked with shades of brown and underlying 

 lilac-grey markings. Av. size, 1-24 x '87 in. Laying begins 

 end May to early June. One brood, possibly two. 



(5) Family: Strigidce Owls 



89. Barn-owl, white-owl, screech-owl [Tyto alba alba 



(Scopoli) ; Strix flammea]. Found in most parts ; 

 scarce in Wales, N. Scotland, and Ireland. 

 Stationary more or less. 



Bird. Length 13 J in. Distinguished from 

 other British owls by its buff and white colora- 

 tion. The orange-buff of the upper-parts 

 and wing coverts is delicately patterned 

 with white, brown, and grey. The facial 

 discs are white, with rufous round the eye. 

 Under-parts white with a buff tinge on the breast. 

 Legs covered with white bristle-like feathers. 



Nest. None made. The eggs are laid in a 

 crevice or hole in a building, tree, or rocks. 

 Eggs. Usually 4-6. White without gloss. A v. size, 1'59 x 1 '25 

 in. Laying may begin from end March to May. Broods 1-2. 



Fig. 53. 



