CAPlilMULGID.?:. 



183 



Family CAPRIMULGID^. 



Bill short, weak and flexible ; gape very wide. Nostrils 

 tubular. Wings long, the second quill generally 

 the longest. Middle toe long, the claw (in the 

 typical forms) pectinated on the inside. Fourth 

 (outer) toe with only 4 phalanges. Plumage soft 

 and finely mottled. 



This family is found in nearly all tropical and 

 temperate regions. Two genera are Indian, both 

 belonging to the typical section, with a pectinated 

 claw to the middle toe. 



Fig. 53. 

 Left foot of 

 C. asiaticus. 



Key to the Genera. 



Stronj^ rictal bristles; no ear-tufts Caprimulgus, p. 183. 



No rictal bristles ; ear-tufts present Lyncornis, p. 192. 



Genus CAPRIMULGUS, Linn. 1766. 



Wing long and pointed, first primary shorter than second and 

 generally than the third ; tail long, more or less rounded. Sexes 

 generally distinguished by the presence of white spots on the 

 wings and tail in males ; represented by buif or rufous spots, or 

 else wanting altogether, in females and young birds. In some 

 species, however, the sexes are alike. Strong rictal bristles, 

 generally white at the base. No ear-tufts. 



The range is that of the family. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Tarsus almost naked. 



a. No distinct black streaks on back. 



a". Outer tail-feathers tipped white in J , 



buff in 5 C. mahrattensis, p. 184, 



b". Outer tail-feathers white throughout 

 except at tip in c? , banded and mottled 



throughout in § C. monticola, p. 185. 



b' . Distinct but narrow black streaks on back C. asiaticus, p. 186. 



b. Greater part or whole of tarsus feathered ; 



back with black streaks or spots. 

 c'. Two outer pairs of tail-feathers tipped 

 white in S • 

 c". Black shaft-stripes in middle of crown 

 only, 

 a^. A white spot in (^ on first three 

 primaries ; tarsi three-quarters 

 feathered C. europceus, p. 1 87. 



