CAPRIMULGIN^, 197 



112. Caprimulgus Asiaticus, Latham. 



Sykes, Cat. 30 — Jerdon, Gat. 252 — Blyth, Cat. 415 — Hoksf., 

 Cat. 137— Gray and Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 34, f. 2. 



The Common Indian Night-jar. 



Descr. — Pale rufescent-ashy, the feathers finely mottled with 

 dusky ; the top of the head (as usual) marked narrowly with 

 black ; a distinct rufescent collar with black marks ; the black 

 markings on the scapulars not extended, but they are much edged 

 with buff, as are all the wing-coverts ; back not streaked with 

 black ; quills with a white spot on each of the first four feathera 

 and mottled at the tip ; the outermost feathers are tipped with 

 white, and there is a white spot on the neck ; the lower-parts are 

 lightly ^'mottled and barred. 



Altogether this species is of a lighter hue generally than others 

 of the genus, (except the next,) with more fulvous, and less black. 



Length 9 inches ; extent 18 ; wing 5|- to 6 ; tail 4^. 



This is the most abundant and generally diffused species 

 of Night-jar throughout India, being found everywhere except at 

 high elevations, or in dense forest-jungle. It extends likewise to the 

 Burmese countries. It is found in low jungle, or thin forest-jungle, 

 in thick groves, gardens, under hedges, &c. ; and it is very bold and 

 familiar at night, coming close to houses ; I have seen it enter veran- 

 dahs in search of moths. It usually alights on the ground, sometimes 

 on the house top, or on a wall, rarely on trees. I have often found 

 the eggs, two in number, of a pale fawn or salmon-colour, spotted 

 with dull pale brown, very cylindrical, and nearly equal at both 

 ends. They are generally laid on the bare ground under shelter of 

 a tree or bush. This bird, whea flushed, rises with a low chuckle. 

 Its usual note, however, is like the sound of a stone scudding over 

 ice (hence it is sometimes called the Ice-bird) ; or, as some sylla- 

 bize it, iyook-tyook-tyook. 



113. Caprimulgus Mahrattensis, Sykes, 



Cat. 31 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. — C. arenarius, Blyth — 

 HoRSF., Cat. 135. 



