46 BRITISH BIRDS | 
(4) Family : Caprimulgide—Nightjars 
88. Nightjar, inaptly called goatsucker, nighthawk [Capri- 
mulgus ewropeus ewropeus Linneus|. Summer visitor, gener- 
ally distributed in open woodlands and waste lands. Burd of 
passage (E. Clarke). 
Bird. Length 104 in. Recognised by the flattened head, 
enormous gape with its bristles, the intricate variegated 
pattern of its plumage, and its 
habit of flying in the twilight. 
The general coloration is ash or 
ey oo silvery- grey closely spotted, 
wey.” streaked and barred with brown, 
“= chestnut, and buff. A buff bar 
Fig. 52, across the wing. The male hasa 
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‘°24x°87 in, Laying begins 
end May to early June. One brood, possibly two. 
(5) Family: Strigide—Owls 
89. Barn-owl, white-owl, screech-owl [Tyto alba alba 
(Seopoli) ; Strix flammea]. Found in most parts ; 
scarce in Wales, N. Scotland, and Ireland. 
Stationary more or less. 
Bird. Length 133 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 
dises 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. 
iggs. Usually 4-6, White without gloss. Av. size, 1-59 x 1°25 
in, Laying may begin from end March to May. Broods 1-2, 
