lO 
NATURE NOTES. 
at the foot of a fir tree, and I make straight for that spot again, 
but to-day a blank is drawn, so wandering about, carefully 
noticing any dead piece of bough that may be lying on the 
ground, which our quarry so closely resembles, after loitering 
about a bird flies up from under a fir tree, but it is only a chiff- 
chaff that has been startled out of its cosy warm nest under the 
fir needles, in the former of which there are three eggs. Ex- 
amining this beautiful structure and then moving on, a nightjar’s 
feather is seen lying on the ground, by which 1 know they are 
not far off. The oak trees are then reached, and from near the 
base up rises, with slow and quiet flight, the object of my quest. 
A cock bird this turns out to be, and it at once makes for the 
bough of a tree, uttering its “ chur-r-r-r ” for a second, when 
settled, as if complaining of being disturbed. It does not seem 
at all dazed by the light as one would think, as its eyes are 
chiefly adapted for seeing in the dark. Three yards farther on, 
and from beneath the shade of the other oak, the hen starts up, 
leaving exposed her two beautiful marbled eggs, laying on a few 
pieces of dead bracken intermingled with one or two twigs, a 
mere apology for a nest. (I may here add in parenthesis that the 
eggs have been found in June, and as late as August, but the 
particular date of my visit was July 12.) After admiring the 
eggs I move aAva}q leaving the bird to return and cover them up 
again, Avhich she will soon do. 
Now I go on another occasion, and this time it is on a 
quiet moonlight eA'ening. Twilight is fading, and I steal to its 
haunt as quietly as possible, my footsteps deadened by moss and 
heather, for at this time the birds rise up on the least disturbance ; 
but it is a little too late, for already that fascinating “ chur-r-r ” 
is heard from a tree close by, so I stand still and Avatch. A soft 
Avhistle from above, and then I knoAV the bird is on the mo\^e, 
and it is flying around the trees, noAV and then flapping its Avings 
amongst the branches, supposed to be for the purpose of dis- 
turbing any insects that may be resting there. Here it comes, 
Avith sloAV beat of Avings, noAv and then turning quickly aside to 
catch a passing insect, or almost stopping in the air ; noAV it is 
close overhead, and I can distinguish the clear Avhite underparts. 
Here comes its mate to join it in its nocturnal hunt ; then one 
bird settles again, and that thrilling note is apparent, so piercing 
in the quiet evening air. After AA^atching them for a time that 
is far too short, I reluctantl}' retrace my steps, and as I return 
through the Avoods, I can still hear them for some distance, so 
penetrating and yet so soft is their peculiar note. There are 
others flying near. 
Any lover of Nature Avho is able to go and AA’atch and listen 
to this someAvhat rara avis Avill not easily forget the experience. 
I haA'e had four or fiAm birds flying round me at once, and almost 
Avithin reach of my hand. Their flight is so sIoav and graceful, 
and yet they have such command of their Avings as to be able to 
tarn sharply round, and sometimes seem to float in the air. The 
