Some years ago there appeared an article about fern owls. It seems the bird is wont to hover around cows and snatch ticks off the udders using a specially adapted claw. Can you say if this is true - or all bull (or cow)?
Joseph Clarke Greenfield Park, Dublin, 4
The fern owl is the nightjar (also called the goatsucker) about which there was an ancient myth that it sucked the milk of cows and goats. This is totally untrue, but it has a serrated claw which may be used to remove parasites from itself.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail: viney@anu.ie