ON THE BIRD-LIFE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA 23 



the Ubangui region, I again found a slightly paler and 

 greyer form (C. Claudi) inhabiting the same kind of rocky 

 places. 



No doubt the variations are caused by local conditions, 

 and the greater rainfall in the Gold Coast hinterland may 

 account for the darker coloration of the former species. 



We see that this nightjar is very locally distributed, and, 

 unhke its close congeners which inhabit the plains, is never 

 found away from bare, volcanic hills. It is really a remarkable 

 example of protective colouring ; the plumage of the bird, 

 as it lies crouched on the bare rock, assimilates so well with 

 the surroundings that it startles one as it gets up almost at 

 one's feet and alights perhaps a few yards ahead, again to 

 appear like a mere piece of chipped stone. 



Another interesting nightjar one comes across in Nigeria 

 is the standard- winged nightjar, so called because it has a 

 very long pinion-feather in both wings that is only plumed at 

 the ends and gives the appearance, as it streams behind in 

 flight, of being detached. This peculiar ornament is only 

 put on by the male in the breeding season to court and 

 fascinate the female. 



These remarkable birds inhabit the open bush country 

 in colonies, and at evening time they appear in numbers on 

 the scene suddenly as if from nowhere, and as they sail 

 backwards and forwards, their shaft-feathers look like small 

 birds following them wherever they go. 



It is interesting to watch this bird courting his mate. 

 Just as dusk is coming on, the female suddenly drops noise- 

 lessly on to the path from the adjoining bush. Immediately, 

 the male appears and alights right in front of her where she 



