THE GOATSUCKER. (Caprimulgus Europceus.) 



THIS curious bird, called also the Nightjar, and the Fern 

 Owl, comes to this country from Africa about the middle 

 of May and usually leaves by the end of August. These 

 birds are generally found in low bushes, or amongst tufts 

 of large ferns, and generally fly at night : hence their 

 name of Fern Owl. The beak is furnished with bristles, 

 and the middle toe of each foot has a claw toothed like 

 a comb. The female lays her eggs upon the ground, 

 without any nest, and lays only two. The name of Goat- 

 sucker originated in an absurd idea that this bird sucked 

 the goat's milk, from its habit of lying on the ground 

 near cows or she goats, and catching the flies that tor- 

 ment them by fixing on their udders. Mr. Waterton, 

 who is certainly the closest observer of nature who ever 

 wrote on Natural History, states, in one of his very in- 

 teresting works, that he has frequently seen the Goat- 

 suckers catching insects in this manner, and thus prov. 

 ing themselves the best of friends to the animals they 

 are accused of annoying. 



