CAPRIMULGUS EUROP^US. 223 



known. Mr Vigors says that it is used for the purpose of 

 seizing, while Mr Dillon is of opinion that its chief use is 

 simply to comb out the bristles or hairs which surround its 

 gape ; and Mr Swanson opposes this theory on the ground that 

 an American group of this family have no bristles round the 

 mouth, and yet have the serrated claw. Mr White is more 

 definite, but still uncertain, for he says : — 



"On the 12th of July 1771 I had a fair opportunity of contemplating the 

 motions of the caprimvZgus (or fern-owl) as it was playing round a large 

 oak that swarmed with scaraboeus solstitialis (or fern-chafers). The 

 powers of its wing were wonderful, exceeding, if possible, the various 

 evolutions and quick turns of the swallow genus. But what pleased me 

 most was that I saw it distinctly, more than once, put out its short leg 

 while on the wing, and by a bend of the head, deliver something into its 

 mouth. If it takes any part of its prey with its foot, as I have now the 

 greatest reason to suppose, it does these chafers. I no longer wonder at 

 the use of its middle toe, which is curiously furnished with a serrated 

 claw." 



Than this, little more is known of this curious and 

 mysterious nocturnal bird, only we know it neither sucks the 

 teats of goats nor strikes cattle with distemper. 



As we have no British species of the IV. family (the 

 Trogonidw) in this arrangement, I pass on to 



Family V. 

 The Halcyonid.e, or Kingfishers. 



The fifth and last family of this tribe (the Kingfishers) meets 

 the meripodce (the bee-eaters) at the other end of the circle. 

 The halcyonidoe prey chiefly upon fish and aquatic insects, 

 which they take upon wing, seizing the insects in their flight, 

 and the fish by plunging down upon them as they rise to the 

 surface of the water. Their feet are formed for grasping, but 

 are incapable of walking. Their flight is rapid and direct. 

 Their plumage is of the richest and most vivid colours, with a 

 changing lustre according to the rays of light. They are 

 chiefly natives of the warmer climates of Asia, Africa, and 

 America ; Europe having only one species of the genus alcedo 

 — our own little kingfisher — by no means a stranger around 

 St Andrews. 



