The Nightjar. 



169 



frightens it : it strikes its wings together over its 

 back somehow, and from this circumstance came to be 

 regarded with superstitious fears by the rustics. 



It has a peculiar owl-like aspect seen in certain 

 positions, and hence it has been called the fern owl, 

 which is more justified than another name it sometimes 

 gets — the night hawk. But more appropriate is the 



NIGHTJAR OR EVE-CHURR. 



eve-churr, from the cJiur-r-r of its note, a little like the 

 chir of electric wires. It has a peculiar habit of never 

 perching across, but only along a branch — a habit 

 supposed to be due to the peculiar form of its toes, 

 the middle toe having a long flange or comblike exten- 

 sion, about the use of which naturalists are much 

 divided. It has another great peculiarity : from the 



