The Nightjar. 



169 



frightens it : it strikes its wings together over its 

 back somehow, and from this circumstance came to be 

 regarded with superstitious fears by the rustics. 



It has a peculiar owl-like aspect seen in certain 

 positions, and hence it has been called the fern owl, 

 which is more justified than another name it sometimes 

 gets the night hawk. But more appropriate is the 



NIGHTJAR OR EVE-CHURR. 



eve-churr, from the chur-r-r of its note, a little like the 

 chir of electric wires. It has a peculiar habit of never 

 perching across, but only along a branch a habit 

 supposed to be due to the peculiar form of its toes, 

 the middle toe having a long flange or comblike exten- 

 sion, about the use of which naturalists are much 

 divided. It has another great peculiarity: from the 



