POLICEMEN OF THE AIR 47 



is not unthinkable! And one is reminded of Bol- 

 ton's words: 



"What time the timid hare limps to feed, 

 When the scared owl skims round the grassy mead; 

 Then high in air, and poised upon his wings, 

 Unseen the soft, enamored wood lark sings." 



Another interesting officer of the -night is the 

 nightjar or fern owl. He also belongs to a numer- 

 ous family whose individual species the Spanish 

 call by various names, such as "the father of the 

 wind/' "shepherd's deceiver," "big-mouth," "ghost- 

 eater," "death watch," and "spirit breeder." By 

 form and colouring he is well fitted to conceal him- 

 self from sight. His coat of feathers is spotted and 

 blotched with innumerable shades from dark brown 

 to light greenish-grey, not unlike the colour of 

 hickory bark. His broad head has a small beak, 

 but an enormous mouth, trimmed with long hairs. 

 The large gape enables the bird easily to catch 

 moths and beetles whenever he goes forth. On 

 moonlight nights he hunts all night, hawking in- 

 sects and swallowing them alive until his crop is 

 gorged full. 



His song is most pleasing. In America he is 

 commonly known under the name of his "whip- 

 poor-will" melody. It is a nocturnal serenade that 

 is unsurpassed for its beauty and charm. 



