GEEAT-EABED GOATSUCKER.— Batrachvstcmus aurUm. 



where tliey cease. It is extreiiiely sliy, but witUal ;i dull bird, aud when alarmed flies 

 leisurely to the nearest tree, aud, perchiug upon a branch, turns round to reconnoitre the 

 cause of its alarm. When it sits in this manner it has very much the aspect of a coiunion 

 hawk. 



On account of a difference in the arrangement of the quill feathers of the wing, the 

 birds which form the genus Batrachostouuis have been separated from the Podargi. The 

 generic name is of Greek origin, and is very appropriate, as it signifies " frog-mouthed," 

 aud is analogous to the French name of Crapaud-volant, or Flying Toad, which is given 

 to all the Goat-suckers. The birds of this genus are not equal in dimensions to the 

 Podargi, and they are all inhabitants of the Indian Archii)ulago, instead of being found in 

 Australasia. 



The Great-eared Goat-sucker is chiefly remarkable for the e.Ktreme length of certain 

 feathers which start horizontally from the upper part of the liead, and are evidently 

 analogous to similar structures in the eared or homed owls. The gape of the l)ill is 

 wonderfully wide in this bird, and with its soft pluuiage, great round eyes, and large head, 

 with its tufts of feathers at each side, it has a peculiarly owl-like aspect. The colour of 

 its plumage is black, grey, buff, and brown, all curiously mottled and intermixed with each 

 other in a manner almost similar to the Goat-sucker, and which cannot be described with- 

 out a needless expenditure of time aud space. It is a nocturnal bird, and seems to be 

 very shy in disposition. 



One of the largest examples of the Goat^suckers is the Gkand Goat-suckek {Nyctibiu.i 

 Grniidis), sometnnes called the Great Ibigau. 



