THE BIRDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 157 



one single specimen of this strange bird, although I have wasted a great deal 

 of time and labour over it; but such is the disappointment to which all 

 researches of naturalists are liable. 



Order 11. PASSERES. 



25, Caprimulgus jotaca, Temm. & Schleg. Cozodoy japonshey. 



Caprimulgusjotacaj Temm. & Schleg. Eaun. Jap. pis. xii. & xiii. 



This species differs from the European Nightjar only by a few trifling 

 outward characteristics, but principally by its voice. We met with it in 

 S.E. Mongolia, in the Suma-had mountains, and in Muni-ul. In the richly 

 w^ooded but waterless country of Ala-shan it does not appear to occur. In 

 Kan-su we only on one occasion heard its voice, in the early morning, just before 

 sunrise, in May ; and I think we noticed the same note in August at this place. 



In its habits it does not differ at all from its congeners, hiding itself 

 during the day in the bushes and among stones, and commencing its activity 

 immediately after sunset ; in spring, when the nights are fine, it is busy 

 throughout the whole night. The voice, consisting of quickly repeated 

 syllables like tuck'tuck-tuck, reminds one of the knocking of a hammer on an 

 anvil ; and for that reason it is called " the blacksmith '' by the Mongols. 

 It repeats its call-note thirty or even forty times without stopping ; and then 

 it remains again quite silent for a short interval. In some cases it has been 

 heard uttering its note over a hundred times running, stopping only long 

 enough to breathe. It calls only when sitting, usually on some dry branch. 

 When flying, it now and then gives out a sort of hoarse quiet sound, which 

 seems to express some soft feeling tow^ards the female ; and I have heard it 

 make the same noise on the approach of a man, dog, or any thing unexpected. 

 When taking to flight it often stops, fluttering with its wings. It is very 

 easy to imitate this sound, and thus to bring the bird close. 



In Ussuri country it is common, and arrives there about the middle of 

 May ; and from that time its notes are to be heard every morning and evening 



