CHAPTER X. 



NIGHT-JARS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMING-BIRDS. 



Night-jars. 



riwto by A. S. RvdlMul <t Sons. 



I 



COMMON NIGHT-JAR. 

 Known also as Fern-owl and Goat-sucker. 



of moths and beetles) after twilight has fallen. 



T is probable that the Night-jars are the- 



nearest allies of the Owls. As pointed out 



in the last chapter, although tlie latter 



have acquired the habits of the Ifawk and Eagle 



Tribe, they are not really connected with that 



group by descent. 



Soberly clad, so as to be in complete harmony 

 with its surroundings, with large eyes, huge 

 mouth, and peculiarly short beak, beset with 

 long bristles, the night-jar may be distinguished 

 at once from all other British birds. By day it 

 hides, squatting close to the ground, or perched 

 on the thick branch of a tree ; but when on the 

 latter, it sits along and not across the bough, 

 like other birds, the complete harmony between 

 its plumage and the bark rendering it as invisible 

 as when on the ground. 



Not until the spring has far advanced does 

 this bird leave its winter resort in Africa for 

 Europe, making its presence known by its con- 

 spicuous habit of hunting its food (which consists 

 Later, its extraordinary churring note is heard — 



Pliow by A. S. llmUaail 6j Sons. 



PENNANT-WINGED KIGIIT-JAB (FRONT VIEW). 



The long and graceful plumes are niuch-lengtlienetl quill-feathers, and by their resemblance to the waving gr.ass in which the bird nests afford 



protection. 



481 61 



