THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



the daytime amongst ferns and on heaps of stones, or 

 perched motionless lengthwise, not across, some broad 

 branch, where its mottled plumage makes it resemble a 

 patch of lichen or dead moss, it remains inactive until 

 sunset, when it sallies forth in quest of food. Its soft 

 plumage renders its flight Owl-like and noiseless, and in a 

 ghost-like way it beats to and fro along the wood-sides or 

 over the open heaths and fern-brakes, under the trees, 

 and round about feeding cattle, in quest of the moths, 

 beetles, and other night-flying insects upon which it 

 subsists. During the earlier months of its stay the 

 Goatsucker is a somewhat garrulous bird, and at intervals 

 utters a very singular cry whilst flying, resembling the 

 syllables co-ic, co-ic, and when sitting a churring note, or 

 loud purring, which rises and falls in cadence and may be 

 heard for some distance. Sometimes the birds may be 

 seen chasing and buffeting each other in the gloom, and 

 often fly right overhead or just above the bracken, the 

 sharp snap of the bill at intervals telling when an insect 

 has been secured. Very rarely the Nightjar is seen 

 abroad during daylight, usually when it has been dis- 

 turbed, and then it seems only anxious to settle into 

 cover again. The short legs of this bird render its pro- 

 gress upon the ground slow and awkward. It probably 

 pairs for life, resorting to the same places yearly to breed, 

 and although by no means gregarious several " nests " 

 may frequently be found within a small area. The 

 Nightjar, however, does not make a nest, as the term is 

 understood, but lays its two eggs on the bare ground, on a 

 fallen tree-trunk, or on a stone-heap. They are very 

 beautiful objects, elongated in form and nearly oval, 

 varying from white to pale cream in ground colour, 

 mottled, blotched, streaked, and veined with various 

 shades of brown and violet grey. Only one brood is 

 reared in the season. 



The adult male Nightjar has the general colour of the 

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