THE NIGHT-IARS. 
47 
I. THE COMMON NIGHT-JAR. CAPRIMULGUS EUROP^US. 
Caprwmlgus europceus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 346 (1766); Macg. 
Br. B. iii. p. 633 (1840); Newton, ed. Yarn ii. p. 377 
(1874); Dresser, B. Eur. iv. p. 621, pi. 271 (1875); 
B. O. U. List Br. B. p. 75 (1883)7 Seebohm, Br. B. ii. 
p. 309 (1884)7 Saunders, Man. p. 257 (1889)7 Hartert, 
Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xvi. p. 526 (1892)7 Lilford, Col. Fig. 
Brit. B. part xxii. (1892). 
Adult Male. — Mottled all over, the general colour of the 
upper surface being dark ashy-grey, with darker brown vernii- 
culations, taking the form of broad lanceolate spots on the 
crown 7 the nape streaked with dull ochraceous-buff 7 on the 
scapulars some longitudinal streaks of black and ochraceous- 
buff 7 wing-coverts spotted with the latter colour 7 primary 
quills blackish, with rufous-buff spots on both webs 7 the three 
outer primaries with a large rounded spot of white on the 
inner web 7 the two outer tail-feathers with a large white spot, 
about an inch long, at the tip 7 throat blackish-brown, nar- 
rowly barred with rufous-brown and spotted with white 7 breast 
coloured like the upper surface 7 abdomen fulvous, barred with 
blackish-brown, these bars less distinct on the under wing- and 
tail-coverts, which are rather more rusty 7 bill black 7 feet red- 
dish-brown 7 iris black. Total length, io‘5 inches 7 culmen, 
0-557 wing, 7-87 tail, 5-57 tarsus, 0-75. 
Adult Female. — Similar to the male, but having the white 
spots on the primaries and outer tail-feathers replaced by 
spots of ochreous-buff, which have also a few brown specks 
upon them. Total length, 10-5 inches 7 wing, 7-5. 
Young. — Resemble the adults, but are rather duller in colour 
and have the spots on the primaries and outer tail-feathers 
ochreous-buff, as in the old female. 
Nestling — Covered with down of a greyish shade, darker 
above and paler below. 
This species is distinguished by the white or buff spots on 
the inner web of the primaries and at the ends of the outer 
tail-feathers, and by the absence of a distinct rufous collar 
round the hind-neck. 
Range in tlie British Islands — A regular summer visitor, arriving 
