CA7RIMULGIXJE. CAPRIMULGUS. 77 



very short, much depressed, generally feeble, the horny 

 part being small ; upper mandible with the dorsal line 

 convex, the ridge rather narrow, the edges inflected to- 

 ward the end, the tip very narrow, and deflected ; lower 

 mandible smaller, with the angle extremely large, the 

 crura slender, the edges inflected toward the end, the tip 

 small and deflected. Mouth extremely wide ; palate 

 smooth, and nearly transparent ; tongue extremely small, 

 slender, tapering to an obtuse point ; oesophagus wide, 

 very thin, without crop ; stomach large, roundish, its 

 muscular coat very thin, the epithelium very hard, with 

 prominent longitudinal ruga? ; intestine short, wide, ex- 

 tremely thin ; cceca large, oblong, narrowed at the base, 

 as in Owls and Cuckoos ; cloaca globular. Trachea of 

 nearly uniform width, without inferior laryngeal muscles. 

 Eyes very large. Nostrils elliptical. Apertures of ears 

 large. Feet very small ; tarsus partially feathered ; toes 

 four, the anterior connected by basal membranes, the 

 first short and directed inwards, the second next, the 

 third long ; claws moderate, well arched, compressed, 

 acute. Plumage full, very soft, blended ; wings very 

 long, with the second and third quills longest ; tail long, 

 of twelve feathers ; almost all the species with very large 

 bristles at the base of the upper mandible. 



These birds are remarkable for their nocturnal habits, 

 light and rapid flight, and great activity. They feed on 

 insects, although some are said to be frugivorous, and are 

 especially inhabitants of warm climates ; several, however, 

 residing during the summer in the colder countries. They 

 nestle on the ground, in caves, or in hollow trees, and 

 generally lay two eggs. The young, at first covered with 

 down, remain until able to fly. 



GENUS XX. CAPRIMULGUS. GOATSUCKER. 



Bill extremely small, feeble, triangular, depressed ; upper 

 mandible compressed toward the very small, deflected tip, 



