5io 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



of the Esculent Swallow, or Salagane, in China, in spite of its high 

 price, is very considerable. From the days of Buffon there have been 

 exported from the coast of Cochin China 4,000,000 of them annually; 

 and the proprietors of one cavern in the island of Java receive 

 annually 50,000 florins for rent alone. 



The distinctive features of the Goatsuckers (Caprimulgus) are a 



Fig. 223. Alpine Swift. 



short, much-depressed bill; the body small in proportion to the 

 plumage ; the neck short ; the head large, broad, and depressed ; 

 the eyes very large and broad ; the feet very small ; tarsi partially 

 feathered ; toes four, the lower surface broad and flattened, the 

 anterior toes connected by basal membranes ; claws moderate, arched, 

 and compressed. The plumage is full, soft, downy, and blended, 

 like the owl's ; the wings have the second and third quills longest ; 

 tail long and rounded. Almost all the species have strong bristles 



