143 



the species is its scattering of the seeds of the poison oak and ivy and so 

 aiding in the spread of these harmful plants. 



Order Macrochires. Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds. 



In this order are grouped a number of birds that after further inves- 

 tigation may be rearranged. The present classification of the American 

 Ornithologists' Union is avowedly tentative and adhered to only until 

 a permanent system can be agreed upon. The various suborders of 

 the division are more easily recognized by their differences than by their 

 agreements, and those points in which they differ will be emphasized in 

 the following descriptions. 



SUBORDER CAPRIMULGI. GOATSUCKERS. 



This is a widely distributed suborder divided into a number of families. 

 A description of the one family represented in North America will serve 

 for the recognition of the native species. 



FAMILY CAPRIMULGID^E. GOATSUCKERS. 



General Description. The Goatsuckers have flattened heads, very small bills, and 

 enormous mouths, with gape extending to behind the eye (Figure 38, p. 24). The 

 feet are small and very weak and the middle claw pectinated or furnished with comb- 

 like serrations as in the Herons (Figure 19, p. 21). The plumage is very soft in texture 

 and coloured in wood browns, neutral buffs, and grey. 



Distinctions. The above characters should be sufficient to characterize this family 

 as they are dissimilar to those of any other Canadian birds. 



The Goatsuckers were given their name from an old but mistaken 

 belief that they sucked the milk from the goats in the pastures over which 

 they were seen to wheel and circle, and their immense mouths and pink 

 throats gave support to the popular impression. In truth the birds that 

 frequented the pastures were hawking for flying insects that had been 

 attracted by the animals. The birds of this family are nocturnal or cre- 

 puscular. They feed entirely upon insects caught on the wing and seldom 

 come to ground except to nest or for repose. Their feet are too small 

 and weak to clasp a branch securely and in perching they normally sit 

 on large branches, lengthwise of them instead of crosswise, as do most 

 birds. 



416. Chuck-will's Widow. FR. ENGOULEVENT DE LA CAROLINE. Antrostomus 

 carolinensis. L, 12. A large Whip-poor-will. See next species. 



Distinctions. Size; it is a considerably larger bird than the Whip-poor-will; the 

 long bristles about the mouth with hair-like branches at their base instead of being clean 

 and bare throughout their length. 



Distribution. The southern states. Of accidental occurrence within our borders. 



The basis for the inclusion of this bird here is the taking of a specimen 

 at Pelee point on lake Erie and another at Pictou, Nova Scotia. It is 

 rare and is similar to the Whip-poor-will in appearance, habits, and notes. 



417. Whip-poor-will. FR. L'ENGOULEVENT CRIARD. Antrostomus vociferus. L, 

 9-75. Coloured in soft indefinite patterns of wood-browns and greys with suggestions 

 of rufous and ochre. There is little broad pattern in the colouring, but much fine detail. 

 On the underparts there is only a faint suggestion of barring, and the coloration of the 

 whole bird is like that of a great brown moth. 



