98 
BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. 
note on the subject — a somewhat singular occurrence, when it is taken into 
consideration how very much amplified from his original MS. notes— now in my 
possession — are the notes in the subsequently fair-copied volume or “ Synopsis.” 
Whilst acquitting Harley of any wish to make “ rarities ” — too often the case 
with county naturalists, — I would ask any ornithologist if he could distinguish 
one species from the other at a glance, when dashing along as these birds do, and, 
especially, if he could accurately measure the expanse of the wings at the same 
time ? As Harley never described the plumage of any bird, we do not know if he 
was aware of the fact that the birds of the year, of the common Swift, differ 
from the adult by the possession of a large gular patch of white : or of the 
singular, and, I believe, but little-recognised fact that birds of shining black 
plumage — Rooks for instance — appear white in certain lights when flying. 
Summing up the evidence with regard to the claims of this bird to be 
considered as one of the Leicestershire avi-fauna, I would say that any one 
knowing that seeing, in bird life, is not believing, would unhesitatingly refuse 
to acknowledge the Cypselus melba as “ one of us.” 
Family C A P E I M U L' G I D ^ . 
NIGHTJAR. Caprimulgus europceus, Linmeus. 
“ Fern-Owl,” “ Goatsucker.” 
A summer migrant, sparingly distributed, and doubtless breeding occasionally. 
--Mr. Babington (Appendix ‘Potter,’ p. 66) said: — “Rocky heaths about Sharpley, 
Kite Hill, etc.” Harley recorded it from Bardon, Gopsall, Gracedieu, Martin- 
shaw, and Oakley. He also mentioned the pectinated middle claw of this bird, 
and appeared to think that it is useful in capturing and retaining its prey, but 
may it not be used as a comb to rid the vihrissoi of the mouth, of the wing& 
of Moths and Beetles which may hav^e become entangled ? Harley says he has 
known examples shot so late as October and November. The late Mr. Widdowson 
wrote from Melton: — “Very few about here.” Mr. Ingram writes: — “Found 
every summer in Belvoir Woods, but less numerous than formerly ; have not found 
its eggs.” Mr. T. B. Ellis writes: — “ Rare ; one or two generally at ‘The Brand.’” 
d’he Museum Donation-book records one from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, shot by 
Mr. H. T. Everard, 2nd Sept., 1874; one from Birstall, 3rd Sept., 1876 ; and one 
from Belgrave, 26th May, 1877, the two last shot by IMr. G. Hall. One was 
killed by Harry Throsby with a catapult, in an orchard at Aylestone, 31st IMay, 
1887. This is the first which has come under my notice during my residence in 
the county. 
In Rutland. — As in Leicestershire. — The Earl of Gainsborough writes : — 
“Reported from Edith Weston, Stretton, Barnsdale, Oakham, and Ridlington.” 
Mr. Horn informs me that Mr. John McGaw, of Stamford, found a nest with eggs, 
in 1886, in Ketton Stone Pits. 
