AFRICAN LONG-TAILED NIGHT-JAR, 



Scoiorms climaturus^ SWAINS. 



Tail, very long, cuneated, the tip and external margin of the 

 outer feather entirely white ; wings, black ; the tips of the 

 lesser, and a band across the middle of the greater quills, 

 snowy ; second and third quill equal and longest. 



Caprimulgus climaturus, Vieill. Gall, des Oiseau. 



THE scientific name of Caprimulgus^ imposed by 

 antiquity upon the Night-jars, is, it must be con- 

 fessed, highly objectionable ; inasmuch as it is 

 founded in a superstitious belief, credited by our 

 simple ancestors, that these birds sucked the milk not 

 only of goats but cows. This vulgar error has long 

 been dissipated, yet it is perpetuated in the name, 

 which therefore offers a favourable instance to sup- 

 port the arguments of those who contend that such 

 appellations should be altogether abolished. We do 

 not, however, exactly subscribe to this opinion, be- 

 cause, as the Latin name is only in use among those 

 who know the real habits of the bird, there can be 

 no danger of its giving an erroneous impression; 

 while, on the other hand, it is so perpetuated in 

 the writings of all ornithologists, both ancient and 

 modern, that it has become, as it were, incorporated 



