H12. REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
very plump and fat in the autumn, they fall a sacrifice to the gunner, 
and in their turn are eaten by gourmets greater than themselves. 
They are migratory birds, travelling only during the night. They 
are readily distinguished by the bristles at the base of the bill, and 
by the claws of the middle toe, which is toothed. The object of 
this toothed appendage has been the subject of speculation. Some 
writers fond of the marvellous even surmise that it is intended to 
comb and smooth the head-feathers. Mr. Vigors is of opinion that 
it may be useful as a further power of prehension, citing, m support 
Fig. 225.—The Night-jar 
of his view, the family of the Ardeide among the wading birds, 
which exhibit an analogous construction in the middle nail. 
Throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia the 
Goatsuckers are diffused, and naturalists have divided them into 
several sub-genera, such as Podargus, represented by Lodargus 
humeralis of the Gold River, and Podareus javanensts, the Chabba- 
wonno of Java, and the Guacharo Bird, Steatornis villot of Hum- 
boldt and Bonpland. 
‘The typical species of Caprimulgus is the Night-jar (C. euro- 
peus, Fig. 225). It is rather larger than a Thrush; and Montagu 
states that he observed on one occasion a flock of eight or ten 
on the wing together, in the dusk of the evening, skimming over 
