126 FHE ESSEX NATURALIST, 
NIGHTJAR. 
Seebohm records that this bird casts up in the form of pellets 
the refuse of its food, which consists exclusively of insects such as 
moths and night flying beetles.’’3: 
Our member, Mr. F. J. Stubbs, has often found castings of 
the Nightjar. He reports (im litt. Nov. 20, 1922) as follows :— 
““T well remember a small dead prostrate branch in the Forest 
at Theydon Bois that was used as a roost by a nightjar. I often 
found accumulations of the pellets, and I tried occasionally to 
find out the nature of the food, Nearly all those I examined 
were remains of lepidoptera, especially the scales. Pellets from 
other districts have had the remains of beetles, and other insects. 
I have questioned two experienced observers. Both of these 
have actually collected Nightjar pellets, and have often noticed 
them, especially at the ‘ nests.’ The pellets are grey and small, 
oval, perhaps half an inch by three-eighths.”’ 
KINGFISHER. 
There is now a general consensus of opinion among ornitho- 
logists that this bird throws up pellets of its food, consisting 
largely of fish-bones, out of which accumulation inits nest-hole a 
bed or nest is made for the reception of its eggs. The pellets 
are very fragile, and require to be treated with gelatine before 
they can be safely handled. A writer in The Field3? saw a pellet 
actually ejected. He reports: ‘I observed that before taking 
its prey, the bird cast up a small white pellet composed of small 
fish-bones, which crumbled to pieces when touched.”’ Another 
observer, who kept a young kingfisher in confinement and 
so had abundant opportunity for observation of his captive, 
says : ‘‘ The castings or pellets cast up by the kingfisher vary 
considerably ; some are pure white, and remind one of very fine 
crystals, and others are different shades of drab or grey ; they are 
composed, I believe, entirely of fish-bones, and are about half- 
an-inch long, and oval ; I believe they are cast up at different 
times of the day, and the average number produced is about one 
per day.’’33 
Miss G. Lister informs me that she has received pellets of the 
kingfisher, found close to a favourite fishing-perch of the bird 
31 History of British Birds, 1884, p. 312. 
32 Quoted in the Zoologist, 1864, p. 9361. 
33 Zoologist, 1876, p. 5082. 
