N IG H T JA R , G O A T S U C K E R ;' O R F E R N -O W L .
NIGHTJAR, GOATSUCKER, or FERN-OWL.
CAPRIMULGUS EUROPJEUS, Unn.
Caprimulgus europseus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 346 (1766) ; Naum.
vi. p. 141; Macg. iii. p. 633 ; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 377;
Dresser, iv. p. 621.
Caprimulgus europeus, Hewitson, i. p. 270.
Engoulevent ordinaire, French; Ziegen-melker, Nacht-
Schwalbe, German; Zumaya, Chotacabras, Papa-
vientos, Enganapastores, Spanish.
This remarkable bird, although a common summer
visitor to all districts of the United Kingdom that are
adapted to its requirements, is very locally distributed
during its sojourn with us, and in many parts of England
is virtually unknown. The favourite haunts of our bird
are shady woods, commons overgrown with fern and
heather, and it is occasionally to be found also on rocky
hill-sides amongst brambles ; but I have never found it
established at any considerable distance from more or
less extensive patches of the common fern or bracken.
On passage, in May and September, it may, to use a
common expression, be found “ anywhere, ’ and at the
latter season I have known of several occurrences of the