THE NIGHTJAR, OR FERN OWL. 
577 
now and then to rest itself. When once darkness has set 
in, the flight becomes rapid and active in the extreme: 
now it darts in and out amongst the trees and bushes, 
chasing every insect that is to be seen. The Longtailed 
African Goatsucker (Scotornis climacura) afforded us end¬ 
less entertainment, in Kartoum, during the lovely nights 
in the rainy season. This species used to come into the 
middle of the town, circling round the trees with a grace 
which fairly astonished us, and, with its long tail sweeping 
like a sledge behind it, quite enchanted us. In the forest 
and desert villages of the Soudan, this and other members 
of the family were so tame that they were to be seen 
every evening, and lent to the nights an additional 
charm. In the garden of the castle of Buen Betiro, in 
Madrid, I also saw one species carelessly hawking along 
the alleys and walks, sometimes darting past close before 
me, and at others wheeling round my head, and clearing 
off numbers of the troublesome mosquitoes, and even 
alighting fearlessly on the path close in front of me.* 
The Goatsucker is very fond of perching on prominent 
boughs or thick-topped trees, where it will remain for a 
* I have on several occasions, in the high-lands of Bogos, seen Goatsuckers 
(Caprimulgus inornatus ) assembled together in companies of from ten to a dozen 
or more, wheeling in rapid circles around and through a swarm of flying ants, just 
emerging from their nest, like a stream of thin blue smoke; this occurred just before 
night-fall: they were assisted in their insect raid by a number of Rollers of two 
species ( Eurystomus afer and Coracias abyssinica). The scene was one of great 
interest, and productive of much pleasure to a lover of birds and their habits; the 
graceful and rapid intricacies of their flight made it seem as though the feathered 
hand were indulging in a noiseless game of follow-my-leader. The Goatsuckers 
seemed to know no fear, and to remain quite undisturbed by repeated shots. I was 
enabled to procure half a dozen specimens with the greatest ease. While mentioning 
instances of insect-hawking, I may say that I have seen one of the Weaver-birds 
(Ploceus cethiopicus ) hunting and catching ants under similar circumstances; the 
address displayed was, however, far behind that shown by the Goatsuckers and 
Rollers, though for all this the Weaver-birds succeeded in making a rare meal. 
—W. J, 
