82 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Disposition and General Habits. — Very sociable, 



always in flocks. They sleep Huddled together. 

 Economic Qualities. — They are destructive birds 



where fruit is grown, but esteemed as food by the 



Kaffirs. 

 Captivity. — They are seldom seen in this condition, 



but are easy to keep. They have not been bred. 

 Distribution and Species. — Africa, south of the 



Sahara, in wooded and bushy country. There 



are fourteen species, very similar in general 



appearance. 



Nightjars (CaprimiilgidcB). 



Diagnosis. — Birds with very small beak and wide mouth, 

 and small feet, with all front toes joined at base. 



Size. — From that of a pheasant to that of a lark. 



Form. — Beak very small, with tubular nostrils and corner 

 of the wide mouth beneath eye ; feet with short 

 shanks, and all front toes webbed at base ; hind- 

 toe small. Wings usually long ; tail various, 

 generally rather long. Head large and flat, with 

 large eyes ; neck short ; body very small. 



Plumage. — Feathering soft, very minutely variegated, 

 producing a bark-like effect, in drab or brown ; 

 little sex-difference, when any is present, and no 

 seasonal change ; young much like adults. Bristly 

 feathers along the mouth commonly found, and 

 some of the wing -feathers abnormal in certain 

 species. 



Young. — Downy, and capable of some activity, but 

 fed by the parents. Down variegated, pattern 

 protective. 



Nest. — None ; the eggs being laid on the bare ground. 



Eggs. — Two ; variegated, resembling pebbles. 



