635 



April, about 8 p.m., at Guelt el Stel, I saw three birds which I suppose were of this species. 

 They were evidently preying upon young locusts, with which the ground was so perfectly covered 

 in places as to appear black at a little distance. I saw them (apparently) pick up several insects 

 from the ground. The previous evening a specimen had been given me at Ain el Ibel, where 

 the coach stopped. A sportsman brought it in alive, remarking that it was the only thing he 

 had shot." It is also, according to Mr. C. F Tyrwhitt-Drake (Ibis, 1867, p. 425), "known to 

 breed towards Ceuta, Morocco." It likewise inhabits the Canaries ; and Mr. F. DuCane Godman 

 writes (Ibis, 1872, p. 169) : — " Mentioned by Webb and Berthelot as of accidental occurrence, 

 though Bolle seems to consider it a regular summer visitant. The latter observer says it breeds 

 in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and therefore ought to be included amongst the recognized 

 birds of the Canaries. It is probable it does not extend to the western islands. I did not see it 

 myself." 



In its habits the present species does not differ from its close ally Caprimulgus europceus. 

 Like that bird it remains during the daytime hidden away in some shady spot, and commences 

 hawking after food wben the shades of evening set in. It feeds on insects, which it catches on 

 the wing, but is said sometimes to pick an insect from the ground. I have seen it in Spain ; 

 and on the wing it so closely resembled our common Nightjar that I did not know it was this 

 species until I shot it. It nests on the ground, the nest being a mere depression in the soil, 

 usually amongst the herbage or undergrowth ; and in it are deposited two eggs, which so closely 

 resemble those of the common species that they can be easily mistaken for them. I have a fair 

 series, chiefly from Arganda, Spain, which very closely resemble the eggs of Caprimulgus 

 europceus, and are quite as variable as these in the distribution and shade of colour of the 

 markings. 



The specimens figured are an adult male and a nestling, both from Spain, and in my collec- 

 tion, these being also the specimens described. 



In the preparation of the above article 1 have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 6. Southern Spain (Col. Irby). b, tf . Pinares de Coria, Spain, May 18th, 1868 (H. Saunders), c. Tunis, 

 1868 (Fairmaire). d, e, pulli. Seville (Lord LilJ or d). 



E Mus. Lord I/ilford. 

 a, b. Seville (Sanchez). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 

 a. 6 . Aranjuez, Spain, May 5th, 1865 (Lord Hlford) . b. Boghar forest, Algeria, May 29th, 1856 (H. B. T.). 

 c. Algiers, June 1856 (H. B. T.). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 



a, J, b, $, c, ?. Pinares de Coria, S. Spain, May 18th, 1868 (U.S.). d, 2 ■ Arganda, June 16th, 1863 

 (M. Sanchez), e, $. Malaga, July 19th, 1868. /, ?. Seville, September 30th, 1869. 



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