RUSSET-NECKED NIGHTJAR. 
189 
third. Plumage having a general rufous tint. Length twelve 
inches; carpus to tip eight inches; tarsus one inch; middle toe 
one inch; claw pectinated. Beak from gape fourteen lines; breadth 
at base one inch; tail six inches and a half. 
The Red, or, as I prefer calling it, the Russet-necked 
Nightjar, is a native of Africa, being occasionally found 
in various parts of Europe. The south of Spain and 
France, namely, Provence, Marseilles, Nimes, and 
Montpellier, are recorded as its European localities. 
To these, through the kindness of Dr. Leith Adams, 
I am able to add Malta, where a specimen was obtained 
by Charles Augustus Wright, Esq., from whose notes 
I copy the following: — 
‘Tn the spring of this year (1861) a native bird- 
stuffer sent me word of a curious Goat-sucker having 
been shot a few days previous, (in the middle of May,) 
at Emtalitep, a valley situate on the southern coast of 
this island. When I saw it the bird had already been 
set up, but the skin was quite fresh, and there is no 
doubt about its being a fine specimen of Caprimulgus 
ruficollis. * * addition to the localities 
given by Degland, I know it is included in an 
unpublished list of Egyptian birds in my possession, 
compiled from various sources by Mr. W. C. Medlycott. 
As far as my information extends, it has never been 
known to visit Sicily, or any part of Italy, except 
Nice, where it has been occasionally met with. There 
appears to be no previous record of its capture in 
Malta. I am glad to say that the subject of this 
notice passed into my possession, and now occupies a 
conspicuous place among my Birds of Malta. C. 
ruficollis may be easily distinguished from C. Europceus,, 
by its larger size, general rufous colouring, different 
proportionate length of primaries, two large white 
