500 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



somewhat impetuous way, and fluttered over and about them 

 several seconds before alighting with much whirring of wings. 

 Both whilst thus fluttering, and afterwards whilst feeding the 

 chicks, the male bird made a dash at her in the air, and then flew 

 and settled a little way off. The instant the hen bird had fed the 

 second chick she flew a few paces off amongst the nettles, where 

 evidently the other had been waiting for her. I could see the 

 two running about excitedly, pursuing each other as in court- 

 ship.* They soon, however, got out of sight amongst the nettles, 

 so that I could not establish this farther. 



3.10. — Churring of Nightjars all about. Quite light — almost 

 broad daylight — though moon still bright. 



3.15. — The two birds disport themselves in the air near, in 

 narrower or wider circles, pursuing each other with animated 

 cries (" quaw-ee " or "quee"), and clapping their wings loudly. 

 The two chicks sit tightly pressed against each other. 



3.22. — Turtle-Doves begin to call. 



3.25. — Wood-Pigeons ditto. 



3.30. — Broad daylight. Number of Bats flying about. Both 

 birds away. Can hear one Nightjar churring, but not loudly. 



3.40. — See no Bats now, but Swallows. May have mistaken 

 the Swallows for Bats just before, the distance being considerable, 

 but do not think so. Wood-Pigeons begin to fly about. The 

 clapping of their wings above the back is now quite a marked 

 feature, much more so than later in the day. Hear no more 

 churring now. Turtle-Doves turring everywhere. Chicks still 

 left alone. 



3.45. — Chicks all at once begin to utter a note I have not 

 heard before — " quirr quirr" — quite different to the piping note ; 

 more like a rudimentary " churr," but having no continuance. 

 They seem excited about something, and begin to move from 

 where they were. Soon I hear the old bird croodling, uttering 

 various low sounds— call-notes evidently. Chicks get more and 

 more excited, and run towards the sounds, running a little, then 

 stopping, running again, and so on, always " quirr, quirring." 

 They soon got right away from the nest. The old bird does 



* And pretty fast. This from memory twenty hours afterwards. " Its 

 helplessness on the ground, where it can only walk with difficulty." See- 

 bolim, C A History of British Birds.' 



