GOATSUCKERS. 



539 



and some have the feathers of the face radiated, like those of the 

 Owls. 



The Goatsuckers are solitary birds, living generally in pairs, 

 sleeping during the day, and issuing from their nest with the 

 setting sun, or possibly earlier in gloomy weather, to chase the 

 crepuscular and nocturnal insects on which they feed. They 

 move silently and with great rapidity. Some authors say that 

 when on the wing they keep the mouth open ; but this is not 



Fig. 244. Nest of the Salangane Swallow. 



supported by facts, and is opposed to reason. The insects they 

 principally devour are moths, dragon-flies, beetles, crickets, cock- 

 chafers, and mosquitoes. Their usefulness, therefore, is nearly 

 .equal to that of the Swallow. As they get very plump and 

 fat in the autumn, they fall a sacrifice to the gunner, and in 

 their turn are eaten by gourmets greater than themselves. 



