DENTIROSTRES. 513 
the surface of the ground, after the manner of Swallows in pursuit of 
insects. Its nest is of the simplest kind, for it deposits its eggs on 
the bare ground, or upon a few dry leaves. These eggs, in number 
only two, are hatched by the female in fourteen days. 
The Common Night-jar is chiefly found on furzy commons, wild 
bushy heaths, and broken hilly ground in the neighbourhood of 
thickets and woods. During the day it lies concealed in the scrub, 
issuing forth in the balmy summer evenings to pursue its insect prey 
on the wing. 
On the prairies of North America, especially those intersected by 
sloughs, dozens of these birds may be seen at the hour of sunset, 
their swift, powerful, and graceful flight being worthy of the greatest 
admiration. ‘They are there called Bull Bats, and are often accused 
by the ignorant of the crime of sucking milk from cows—about as 
probable as snakes being guilty of the same offence; yet there are 
hundreds who believe in such impossibilities. 
The Night-jar is a bird of evil omen in the estimation of our 
rural population; such it has been considered since the days of 
Aristotle, and possibly even further back. ‘The reverse should be 
the case, for the benefit it confers by clearing the air of noxious 
insects is incalculable. 
The Guacharos (Stea/ornis caripensts) are singular birds, with more 
of the Hawk than Goatsucker in their appearance. ‘They were first 
described by MM. Humboldt and Bonpland as being found in the 
interior of a vast Columbian cavern—the Grotto of Caripe. Their 
hooked bill and general aspect are more robust than the Night-jars. 
They inhabit in thousands the deep recesses of the caverns of the 
Cumana Chain, hanging to the walls by their pointed claws. In these 
caves, which they only leave during the night, they build their nests. 
Unhke their congeners, they feed only on grain and seeds. The 
Indians of Caripe enter these sombre domains from time to time, and 
make raids upon their ranks, for they are deservedly esteemed as 
great delicacies. 
DENTIROSTRES. 
The Passerine Dentirostres are characterised by a bill more or 
less strong, compressed on each side of the point. They feed on 
berries and insects, and comprehend numerous genera, including the’ 
Manakins, Cock of the Rock, Warblers, Lyres, Orioles, Honey-eaters, 
Dippers, Thrushes, Tanagers, the Rollers, Chatterers, Fly-catchers, 
and Butcher Birds. 
M. Lesson thinks the MJuscicapide should consist of the genera 
s 
