A GOAT-SUCKER 221 



years for its construction, a little being added each 

 season. The eggs are deposited in holes dug several 

 feet into the mass, where the warmth of the decompos- 

 ing materials hatches them. The birds are generally to 

 be seen about their mounds, but are shy and difficult 

 to approach. They keep up an almost incessant cackle, 

 both night and day, which is anything but musical, and 

 is well calculated to make one bad-tempered when try- 

 ing to get to sleep in their neighborhood. They have 

 one redeeming quality. Their flesh and eggs are excel- 

 lent eating. 



A little bird that cost us many sleepless hours was 

 a small goat-sucker that used to sit on a rock near the 

 house in which we staid, and keep up an almost 

 unceasing racket from dark until daylight. His only 

 song might be expressed by the word "katup." He 

 would say it once, twice, and then three times in 

 succession ; beginning again at one, with a regularity 

 and monotony that would weary one. Many a night 

 have I lain awake by the hour, wishing that his katup 

 would choke him the next time he said it. I used to 

 get up with the gun, creep cautiously to the door, and 

 blaze away 'at the little fellow as he flew off ; but it 

 was so dark, and he was so shy and so very quick, 

 that I missed him every time. Scarcely was I dozing 

 again, than he would begin as regular as a clock. At 

 last, I became desperate, and declared I would not 

 stand it another night. 



