. The sportsman's British bird book . Islandsup to 1900, namely, two from Ireland in 1825 and 1832, one fromCornwall in 1835, and a second in 1887, one from Pembrokeshire in1832, one near Aberystwyth in 1870, one from Lundy Island in1874, one from Dorsetshire in 1895, and the ninth from the Isle ofWight in the following year. In addition to these, two examples wererecorded in 1901, namely, one from Somersetshire, and the other fromHampshire. 426 PICARIAN BIRDS Of the black-billed species apparently only a single British exampleis known, namely, one killed in Antrim in the autumn of 1871. Night
. The sportsman's British bird book . Islandsup to 1900, namely, two from Ireland in 1825 and 1832, one fromCornwall in 1835, and a second in 1887, one from Pembrokeshire in1832, one near Aberystwyth in 1870, one from Lundy Island in1874, one from Dorsetshire in 1895, and the ninth from the Isle ofWight in the following year. In addition to these, two examples wererecorded in 1901, namely, one from Somersetshire, and the other fromHampshire. 426 PICARIAN BIRDS Of the black-billed species apparently only a single British exampleis known, namely, one killed in Antrim in the autumn of 1871. Nightjar (Caprimulgus europoeus). The nightjar, or goatsucker, as (from an old super-stition) it is called in many parts of the country,introduces us to a second group of picarian birds,which is taken to include also the swifts ; the night-jar typifying one family (Caprimulgid;v), and the swift a second(Cypselidje). The members of both families are characterised b\ theshortness of the beak and the great width of the gape ; characteristics. THE ROWLAND MGHTJAK. which may, however, be merely special adaptations for capturing insectsin the air, as is the practice of all these birds. Among the distinctive characteristics of the nightjar ma}- bementioned not only the remarkable shortness of the beak and theenormous mouth, fringed on each side by long bristles, but also thepartial union of the three front-toes and the comb-like, or serrated,inner edge of the claw of the middle one. These features renderthe species easily distinguishable from any other Ikitish bird ; whilethe peculiar cry from which it takes its name affords equally easymeans of recognising it in the field. The colouring of the plumage,which is eminently adapted for rendering the bird inconspicuous in itsfavourite haunts on chalk or limestone cliffs, is by no means easy ofdescription. It may be said, however, to consist of a blend of darkbrown and buff streaks, spots, and bars, with a fine stippling of small NIGHTJAR . 427
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