SPORT IN BUTE. 203 



In size, shape, rapidity of flight, as well as endurance on 

 wing, sweeping even over the broad Atlantic, petrels bear a 

 close resemblance to the common chimney-swallow. But if the 

 joyous sunny swallow, always associated with verdure and 

 beauty, has this ocean delegate equally suggestive of clouds and 

 tempest, it has also a representative among the sombre birds of 

 night. The night-jar, familiarly known as the " night-hawk,'* 

 not only connects the owls with insect-feeders, but also forms 

 the link between swallows and owls. Like the swallow tribe, 

 it is a migrant and insect-feeder, preying on the night-moths, 

 beetles, and cockchafers, by following and capturing them in 

 the air as swallows seize day insects. Indeed, the capricious 

 evolutions of this twilight spectre bear close resemblance to 

 the sportive wheels of the birds of summer sunshine. It has 

 been called "the night-swallow," just as stormy petrels are 

 commonly known to sailors as swallows of the ocean. 



From hiding in the daytime in brakes of fern, the night-jar 

 is also appropriately styled " the fern owl " ; and indeed the 

 silky feathers, noiseless flight, large eye, dusky colour, and 

 nocturnal life of this bird, quite entitle it to a low niche 

 among the owls ; while the insect food, migratory habits, large 

 gape, soft beak, and weak feet, prove it equally akin to the 

 swallow family, which right I have just claimed for it. The 

 night-swallow has the advantage over the day one in a hair- 

 netting on each side of the bill a very great assistance in 

 night-hunting, but not needed and therefore not given to the 

 bird of the sunlight. 



To a heedless listener, the song or call of each individual 

 of any particular species of bird may appear exactly alike, 

 but there is often considerable variety. Song-bird fanciers 

 know this well ; but in their case it may be urged that do- 

 mestication and care have altered and drawn out the voices 

 of their favourites, just as judicious farmers improve their 

 stock. But I take as illustrations the most obtrusive and 

 monotonous of our day and night birds, and to a fine ear 



