CAPRIMULGID.l-J. 



67 



SUB-FAMILY I. 



Steatorxin.e.* 



The Oil-birds. 



Gen CHARAC.-Beak short, generally strong, and curved to the tip, which 

 is hooked ; the sides are dilated and the gape very wide; the hase of the 

 bill is covered with projecting plumes and bipectinated bristles. 



Fig. 26.— the oiL-BiE;a. 

 (Steatornis Caripensis.) 



The principal localities wliere tliese birds are 

 kno^^^l to exist are certain caverns on the sea-shore 

 of the islands of Guadalonpe and Trinidad^ and also 

 in several parts of South America. Their food 

 consists of the fruits of a plant called SeniiUa del 

 GuacharOj upon which they become so excessively 

 fat that their grease is compared to olive-oil, and, 

 as such, is -used as an article of food. Their voice 

 is hoarse and sharp : they avoid the light of day, 



* (TTtdrLoi>, steation, /at ; bpvig, ornis, a hird ; Fat-birds. 



