NIGHTJAR, GOATSUCKER, or FERN-OWL. 



CAFRIMULGUS EUROP^US, Linn. 



Caprimulgus europseus. Linn. S, N. i. p. 346 (1766) ; Naum. 



vi. p. 141 J Macg. iii. p. 633 ; Yarr. ed. 4>, ii. p. 377 ; 



Dresser, iv. p. 621 . 

 Caprimulgus europeus, Hewitson, i. p. 270. 



Engoulevent ordinaire, French ; Ziegen-melker, Nacht- 

 Schwalbe, German ; Zumaya, Chotacabras, Papa- 

 vientos, Enganapastores , Spanish. 



This remarkable bird, although a common summer 

 visitor to all districts of the United Kingdom that are 

 adapted to its requirements, is very locally distributed 

 during its sojourn with us, and in many parts of England 

 is virtually unknown. The favourite haunts of our bird 

 are shady woods, commons overgrown with fern and 

 heather, and it is occasionally to be found also on rocky 

 hill-sides amongst brambles ; but I have never found it 

 established at any considerable distance from more or 

 less extensive patches of the common fern or bracken. 

 On passage, in May and September, it may, to use a 

 common expression, be found " anywhere," and at the 

 latter season I have known of several occurrences of the 



