XXX TAII,S AND WINGS AS NUPTIAL LIVERY 383 



birds which iissuiiic ;ni extra vacant wouiiiu-ilrcss than 

 those of the wings ; but in some Niglitjars the wing- 

 feathers are strangely lengthened. The nightjar family 

 has soft owl-like plumage, which is peculiarly modified 

 in some species. Among those living in Africa, two, 

 the Racket-winged and the Pennant-winged species, are 



^•^- 



The Pennant-winged Nightjar (Cosmetornis vexillariua). 

 "The aeronaut of the dusky evening." In the even- 

 tide the}' look like ghosts as they (lit in and out of the 

 long grass. 



remarkable for peculiar modifications of certain feathers 

 in their wings. 



The Racket-winged Nightjar has the ninth primary 

 elongated in each wing : it appears with a long bare 

 shaft and a racket-like tip. When flying in the 

 dusk it gives the impression of being three birds — 

 a big bird with two smaller birds mobl)ing it. Some- 

 times it resembles a fluttering kite. This species 

 occurs in the Rift Valley and especially round Lake 



