52 PASSEEES. 



Sub-Family I. 

 THE OIL-BIRDS. STEATORNIN^.* 



General Characteristics. — Beak short, generally strong, and curved to the tip, 

 which is hooked ; the sides are dilated and the gape very wide ; the base of the bill 

 is covered with projecting plumes and bipectinated bristles. 



The principal localities where these birds are known to exist 

 are certain caverns on the sea-shore of the islands of Guadaloupe 

 and Trinidad, and also in several parts of South America. Their 

 food consists of the fruits of a plant called "Semilla del Guacharo," 



^^^^^^IIP^^^ 1^1 F //'.Mil Hill' 



Fig. 26.— The Oil-Bird {Stcatornis Carij>ensis). 



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, and 

 only sally from their hiding-places during the night, or at least 

 after sunset Their nests are built on the rocky walls of caverns, 

 in which they rear their young. 

 The typical species — 



* CTiiTiov, steation,/;/; tpvi.%, ornis, a bird: fat birds. 



