508 LETTERS To THE EDITOR. 
C. riparia has lately been obtained by Mr. Davison in Tenas- 
serim. Dr. Jerdon, who noticed its occurrence in some other 
parts of India, stated (Jbis, 1871, p. 353) that I obtained it in 
Central India. I may have done so, but I do not recollect the 
circumstance, and I cannot find that I have ever before men- 
tioned in print the occurrence of this species in India. 
W. T. Buanrorp. 
Sruua, October 23rd, 1876. 
Sir, 
To-payY, while out nesting, [came upon a perfect colony 
of Night Jars, about twenty birds within a cottah of jungle ; one 
rose about five feet from me and settled about ten yards off ; the 
native with me pointed to where she had risen (and for full 
fifteen seconds I could not make out what he was alluding to), 
and then I saw two young, covered with down, the wing feathers 
just sprouting. They were perfectly still, looked like dead, 
would hardly move even when I touched them ; the parent all 
this while was moving about amongst the dead leaves. What do 
you think she was doing? Quivering her body and wings just 
like a bird does who has been shot through the legs while on 
the ground, and attempts to rise after it. On walking up to her 
she flew a few yards, and on alighting did the same. I have 
read of Peewits and some other birds trying to allure a person 
away from their nests, but never thought a Night Jar capable of 
the same thing. I returned to the nest and hid myself; the 
mother came and settled about six feet from the nest (if it can 
be so named) and gave a few low chuckles, when both young ones 
ran to her over the dead leaves just like chickens. She flew off 
immediately having seen me; the young ones eyes were kept 
closed all the while. Mr. R. Thompson says, “ Nests and Eggs, 
Vol. I., p. 95, the young are quite helpless.” The ones he saw 
were very likely just hatched. 
J. R. Cripps. 
BaMANDANGA, 31st March 1876. 
Sir, 
I HAVE just received a skin of Péterocles senegallus 
‘Lin, g and a wing of the ? from Dr. Newman. He says he shot 
them at Tookaram, about 70 miles north-east of Jodhpoor, in 
the corner between the three states of Bickaneer, Jessulmere, 
and Marwar. I mention the fact as you say in our paper. “I 
have never seen or heard of it from Jodhpoor or from any 
part of Guzerat inland from the Runn.”—E. A. Burisr. 
Dexsa, April 4th, 1876. 
