386 



CAPRIMULGID^. 



a mottled surface above, and beneath uniform pale brown. 

 The feet are early well-developed, being, when the feathers 

 begin to grow, nearly as long as those of the adult. At this 

 age the claw of the middle toes is not serrated. The first 

 plumage much resembles that of the parents ; but the males 

 have the spots on the wings and tail buff, more or less 

 mottled with brown, instead of pure white.* 



* Mr. Hancock recorded (Ibis, 1862, p. 39) the occurrence, October 5tb, 

 1856, at Killingworth in Northumberland, of a Red-necked Nightjar, Capri- 

 mulgus ruficolliS) a South-European species, much resembling our own, but 

 distinguishable by its larger size, its lighter grey head and rufous collar. Other 

 examples may possibly have visited this country, and been mistaken for those 

 of the common species, but C. ruficollis has a range so far to the southward that 

 its only known appearance in England, especially when the season of the occur- 

 rence is considered, seems at present not to justify its being regarded as a "British 

 Bird". It has not been recognized in any part of Germany, or even in central 

 France. 



