Oct., 1916. 
NOV 21 ]m 
The Irish Nakiralisf. 
157 
THE NIGHTJAR. 
BY JAS. P. BURKITT, A.M.I.C.E., B.A. 
My writing on this queer bird would be impertinent as 
this is my first season's acquaintance with it, were it not 
that over forty visits to a bird not easily visited or observed 
may perhaps justify the recording of the result of careful 
notes. I have no desire to commit the sin of generahsing ; 
but what I note here consistently applies to my own 
observations. 
I first heard the bird on May 22nd. When it really 
arrived I do not know. The site is a large bog about a mile 
long by one-third mile broad with turf cutting round all 
the border, bounded on most of one side by a belt of more 
or less thin timber. 
The border of bog next the timber is " cut away " ground 
covered mostly with deep heather and bushes for about 
120 yards out, the next 120 yards being turf banks and 
semi-drained bog, and then undrained bog. Part of the 
timber belt is nearly cut away, leaving a line of Bracken 
bordered by some trees. The favourite feeding ground 
for at least the first hour of the night is the scrubby border 
and " cut away," though occasional flights over the bog 
are also taken. After the first hour there is very little 
sound emitted and hence one cannot locate them so well. 
The various notes are as follows : (i) The w^histle, a strong 
peremptory kree, generally a single one, but also three 
or four at intervals of about a second. This is the first note 
starting from roost and the general note by both parents. 
It is made flying, perching or standing. (2) The well- 
known song like a reaping machine is made on a perch— 
a turf clamp or bush. It frequently ends off in a kind 
of gurgle on leaving the perch if the mate is near. I am 
conclusively satisfied that the female makes this note also, 
though not often, and it appears to be only in answer to 
the male and as it were an echo and not so strong. The 
song is very varied in strength and both it and the whistle 
can be heard up to nearly half a mile under suitable con- 
ditions. (3) The next note is the wing clap made upwards 
in flight. This is done only in company, the mate not 
