CAPRIMULGID.E — THE GOATSUCKERS. 411 



Antrostomus r. Sclater, P. Z. S. 18G6, ISO ; A. rutilus, BuuM. Syst. Ueb. II, 

 385) and A. ornatus (ScL. P. Z. S. 186G, 58G,^p]. xlv), of South America, 

 appear to be the nearest relatives of this species, agreeing' very closely in 

 coloration ; but both have the rictal bristles simple, without lateral filaments, 

 and would thus seem to be distinct species. In the latter, the white spaces 

 of the tail are found oidy on the second and third leathers, instead of on the 

 outer three, wiiile the former is said to have no such markings at all. 



Habits. 'Tlie exact extent of the geographical range of this species is 

 not very clearly defined. IJarely anywhere a very abundant species, it is 

 more common throughout Florida than in any other State. It is also found, 

 more or less frequently, in the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, 

 Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Dr. Woodhouse mentions finding it 

 common in the Creek and Cherokee countries of the Indian Territory, and 

 also extending into Texas and New Mexico. Mr. Dresser noticed several 

 of this species on the Medina Eiver, in Texas, April 28, and afterwards 

 in May. On the 18th of the same month he ag^iin found it very numerous 

 at New Braunfels, and also, on the 20th, at Bastrop. Dr. Heermann states 

 that these birds visit the neighborhood of San ^ntonio in the spring, and 

 remain there to raise their young. 



James River, Virginia, has been assigned as the extreme northern limit 

 of its migrations, but I can find no evidence of its occurring so far north, 

 except as an accidental visitant. Wilson, indeed, claims to have met with 

 it between Richmond and Petersburg, and also on the Cumljerland River. 

 Dr. Bachman states that it is not a common bird even in the neighborhood 

 of Charleston. Mr. Audubon, w^ho claimed to be a very close and careful 

 observer of the habits of this species, states that it is seldom to be met 

 with beyond the then southern limits of the Choctaw nation, in Mississippi, 

 or the Carolinas on the Atlantic coast. 



I have been informed by Dr. Kollock that these birds are rather common 

 at Cheraw, in the northern part of South Carolina. Dr. Bryant found them 

 quite abundant near Indian River, in Florida, thoi'.gh he makes no mention 

 of them in his paper on tlie birds of that State. Mr. Cassin informed me 

 that Colonel McCall met with tliis bird in New^ Mexico. Lembeye includes 

 it among the birds of Cuba, but in reality refers to cidxaiensis. 



These birds, according to Mr. Audubon, are not residents, but make tlieir 

 appearance within the United States about the middle of March. They are 

 nocturnal in their liabits, remaining silent and keeping within the shady re- 

 cesses of the forests during the daytime. As soon as the sun has disap- 

 peared and the night insects are in motion, tliis species issues forth from its 

 retreat, and begins to give utterance to the peculim* cries from which it 

 receives its trivial name, and which are said to resemble the syllables chuck- 

 tvills-v'i-dmc. These sounds are said to be repeated with great rapidity, yet 

 with clearness and power, six or seven times in as many seconds. They are 

 ai'C only uttered for a brief period in the early evening. 



