COEACIIFORMES (COKACLE). 



387 



Nightjars (CAPEiMULGiDiE). 



: The only representative in England is the Goatsucker or 

 Fem-Owl {Caprimulgus europmus), a migrant which arrives in 

 England about the middle 

 of May. They have an 

 extremely wide gape, the 

 edges of the mouth being 

 furnished with a row of 

 bristles (fig. 192). Insects, 

 such as cockchafers and 

 moths, form the majority 

 of their food, which tliay 

 catch whilst flying about 

 at dusk and during the 

 night. The nightjar lays its eggs upon the ground in open 

 places amongst fern and gorse and in wood clearings. 



Fio. 192.- 



-Head of Nightjar {Caprimulgus 

 europceus). 



(v) Coracise. 



KlNGFISHEES (ALCEDINIDiF.). 



One species only occurs here — namely, Alcedo isjjtda, which 

 is a resident bird, generally distributed over Great Britain. It 

 delights in lakes, ponds, rivers, and even the sea-coast, darting 

 about in straight lines, and suddenly plunging from its perch 

 into the water to secure some unwary fish, upon which it lives. 

 Dragon-flies and beetles are also eaten. The beautiful azure- 

 blue back and dark -blue tail and chestnut breast and belly 

 make it a conspicuous object. The nest is made in a hole in 

 the hanks of pieces of water and rivers. The eggs are laid on a 

 layer of fish-bones. 



Three other group.T are represented in this section, by the 

 Roller (^Ooracias garrulus), Bee-eater (Meirips apiaster), and 

 Hoopoe (ITpupa epnps), but they are only casual visitors. 



