somewhat impetuous way, and fluttered over and about them several seconds before alighting with much whirring of wings. Both whilst thus fluttering, and afterwards whilst feeding the chicks, the male bird made a dash at her in the air, and then flew and settled a little way off. The instant the hen bird had fed the second chick she flew a few paces off amongst the nettles, where evidently the other had been waiting for her. I could see the two running about excitedly, pursuing each other as in courtship.[1] They soon, however, got out of sight amongst the nettles, so that I could not establish this farther.
3.10.—Churring of Nightjars all about. Quite light—almost broad daylight—though moon still bright.
3.15.—The two birds disport themselves in the air near, in narrower or wider circles, pursuing each other with animated cries ("quaw-ee" or "quee"), and clapping their wings loudly. The two chicks sit tightly pressed against each other.
3.22.—Turtle-Doves begin to call.
3.25.—Wood-Pigeons ditto.
3.30.—Broad daylight. Number of Bats flying about. Both birds away. Can hear one Nightjar churring, but not loudly.
3.40.—See no Bats now, but Swallows. May have mistaken the Swallows for Bats just before, the distance being considerable, but do not think so. Wood-Pigeons begin to fly about. The clapping of their wings above the back is now quite a marked feature, much more so than later in the day. Hear no more churring now. Turtle-Doves turring everywhere. Chicks still left alone.
3.45.—Chicks all at once begin to utter a note I have not heard before—"quirr quirr"—quite different to the piping note; more like a rudimentary "churr," but having no continuance. They seem excited about something, and begin to move from where they were. Soon I hear the old bird croodling, uttering various low sounds—call-notes evidently. Chicks get more and more excited, and run towards the sounds, running a little, then stopping, running again, and so on, always "quirr, quirring." They soon got right away from the nest. The old bird does
- ↑ And pretty fast. This from memory twenty hours afterwards. "Its helplessness on the ground, where it can only walk with difficulty." Seebohm, 'A History of British Birds.'
