NIGHTJAR. 
CAPRIMULGUS EURO PAJUS. 
I have met with this singular bird in every county in which I have passed the summer months, from Sussex 
to Sutherland. Though I failed to notice the species in Caithness, it is probably to be found in the southern 
or more wooded portion, the barren and treeless moors of the central and northern parts of the county being 
perhaps unsuited to its habits. Throughout the Long Island I never observed a single specimen, though often 
crossing the hills at all hours of the day and night. In the east of Ross-shire it appears as numerous as in 
the south of England ; indeed I am acquainted with no part of Great Britain where the bird is so plentiful as 
on the hill of Tarlogic near Tain. 
I he Nightjar is only a summer visitor to our islands, and is rarely seen before the end of the first week in 
May. If met with at sea on a fine still morning, while making the passage of the Channel, its curious flight 
would mislead any one unacquainted with its habits at this season. I have known several instances where 
this species has been mistaken for a large Petrel— its flight, as it turns and twists over the water, now hovering 
ior a moment over a submerged butterfly or moth, and again dashing rapidly after some passing insect, much 
resembling that of the wandering sea-bird that is supposed to be the harbinger of storm and tempest. Every 
other migrant I am acquainted with pursues its course with but slight deviation from the point for which it is 
making ; this species, however, may frequently be observed hawking about over salt water in much the same 
manner as a Swallow or Martin over a pond or river. On one occasion I carefully noted the movements of a 
party of two or three of these birds skimming round the steamboat from which I was watching them. The sea 
was without a ripple ; and every action, as they rose or fell in the air or darted over the surface, was plainly 
visible ; and I was easily able to keep them in view for at least a quarter of an hour, though now and then 
at a distance of three or four hundred yards. To the best of my recollection I have never noticed one of these 
birds at sea after eight or nine o’clock in the morning ; and I believe they generally reach the coast at a still 
earlier hour. It is a singular fact that, although they by no means hasten their journey over the Channel, and 
remain (as previously descrihcd) for a considerable time either searching for food or sweeping in a sportive manner 
over the surface, I have never noticed one so engaged over any of the inland waters in the neighbourhood of 
their summer haunts. I have studied their habits in the vicinity of highland lochs and the larger broads in 
the eastern counties, and have been unable to record a single instance where they followed their prey over the 
surface of either loch or broad. 
The Nightjar (as its name implies) is never heard, and seldom seen, by day, unless disturbed from the 
spot where it is resting. It is usually Hushed from the bare ground in a ride through a wood or an open space 
on a moor or down, usually at only a short distance from some bush of furze, rank heather, or other mountain- 
plant. If cautiously approached, the bird may be noticed squatting almost Hat on the ground, with the head 
drawn back between the shoulders, and the eyes either entirely or partly closed. It now and then takes 
up its quarters for its daily rest in somewhat curious situations : I have repeatedly started one from garden- 
