T H E S W A L L O W, &c. 73 



bill overgrowing, the points will not meet, fo that he cannot ftrike for- 

 ward to any advantage. He feeds, on the grains found in pine-apples, 

 and is extremely dexterous in procuring them, by detaching the fcales of 

 the pine-apple, under which they lie. His crofs-bill alfo ferves him in 

 climbing, like a parrot's, and hence feme have called him the German 

 parroquet : they are but dull birds. 



OF THE 



SWALLOW AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



THE GOAT-SUCKER. 



THERE, is nothing more unfortunate in natural hiftory, than when 

 a creature has obtained a name, which expreflfes falfe m.anners as 

 if appropriate to it ; this is inftanced in the prefent article, which, if pro- 

 perly named, Ihould be entitled 



THE NIGHT-SWALLOW, 



As coming neareft to its true charaftcr ; yet it differs from the 

 fwallow by being a bird of night, by being folitary, by its voice, 

 by the number of its eggs, by its laying them bare on the ground, and 

 by its time of appearing and difappearing. It agrees in exterior form, 

 and m.uch of its manners, its fhort feet, fmall bill and large throat, its 

 food, and method of taking it. Lives upon infcds, efpeciaily thofe that 

 fly by night; he chafes in the evening twilight, for light dazzles him; 

 he has no need to fhut his mouth to fecure his prey, for the infide of his 

 bill is replete with a kind of glue, adhefive enough to retain as well 

 moths as beetles, and to hold them by their wings. They are fpread in 

 various parts of the world ; many in America : any hole ferves for a neft ; 

 [lays two or three browniih eggs; is very jealous of her neft's being dif- 

 I covered. Their open mouth caufes a found, which in fome parts of 

 [England procures them the name of wheel- bird, for their humming noifc 

 refembles that of a fpinning- wheel. 



N 2 The 



