CLASS AVES: OEDEB PICARI^E. 



Fig. 



but at night comes forth to watch for beetles, moths, etc. If 



it does not seize an insect at the first dash, the exceedingly 



sensitive bristles lining the 



sides of the upper mandible 



tell which way the prey is 



moving. After each sally it 



returns to the same spot. 



Its middle toe is pectinated, 



doubtless for cleaning its 



bristles. 



The Chuck-will' s-widow of 

 the South is larger than the 

 Whippoorwill, and has bris- 

 tles with lateral filaments. 



Trogonidae. The Tro- 

 gons of the tropics are pre- 

 eminent for brilliancy of 

 plumage.* 



Cypselidae. The 8wift\ 

 alights readily on a perpen- 

 dicular surface, to which it 

 clings with its sharp claws 

 and short spined tail. The 

 Chimney-swallow, the only 



* The ancient Mexicans kept large 

 aviaries of these birds hoth on account 

 of their beauty and their gorgeous 

 plumes, which were plucked at a certain 

 season and worked into mosaic images 

 and pictures. 



t This bird is so called from its un- 

 rivaled power of wing, though it lacks 

 the speed and grace of the Hirundiuidae. 

 One species of this family (Cottocafaa 

 esculenta) is the principal maker of the 

 " Edible birds' nests." These are con- 

 structed with bits of sea-weed, meta- 

 morphosed in the bird's stomach, 

 disgorged and attached to the rocks. 

 When washed and soaked, they-iorm a 

 gelatinous substance highly esteemed 



among the Chinese for making soup. Trogon resplendens, 



The nests are taken down three or four Resplendent Trogon. 



