140 



CAPRIMULGUS. GOATSUCKER. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum breve, basi dilatatum 

 et scepius setis divergenti- 

 bus instructum, versus api- 

 cem utrinque compressum 

 aduncum : mandibula infe- 

 rior apice recurvata. 



Rictus arnplissimus. 



Pedes breves, digitis tribus 



anticis,basi membrana con- 



nexis, uno postico. 



Ala longissimae. 



Beak short, at the base di- 

 lated, and often furnished 

 with divergent setae, to- 

 wards the apex on each 

 side compressed and 

 hooked : under mandible 

 recurved at the point. 



Gape very deep. 



Legs short, with three toes 

 before, connected at their 

 base by a membrane, one 

 behind. 



Wings very long. 



JL HE birds of this genus are readily distinguished 

 by their immense wide gape, which in many of 

 the species reaches beyond the eyes : they do not 

 build a nest, but lay their eggs, which are gene- 

 rally two in number, on the bare ground ; neither 

 are they ever seen in society, but appear to be all 

 of a solitary disposition : their food consists of 

 large insects, which their wide mouth is well cal- 

 culated to entrap, and most of them take their prey 

 flying: there is but one species found on the 

 European continent, and the greater part of them 

 are natives of America. 



