CHAP. XVIII.] 



BIRDS. 



ai9 



Family 72.— STEATOENITHID.^. (1 Genus, 1 Species.) 



Gexeral Distribution. 



This family contains a single bird — the Guacharo — forming the 

 genus Steatornis, first discovered by Humboldt in a cavern in 

 Venezuela, and since found in deep ravines near Bogota, and also 

 in Trinidad. Although apparently allied to the Goat-suckers 

 it is a vegetable-feeder, and is altogether a very anomalous bird 

 whose position in the system is still undetermined. 



Family 73.— CAPEIMULGID^. (17 Genera, 91 Species.) 



The Goat-suckers, or Night-jars, are crepuscular insectivorous 

 birds, which take their prey on the wing, and are remarkable 

 for their soft and beautifully mottled plumage, swift and silent 

 flight, and strange cries often imitating the human voice. They 

 are universally distributed, except that they do not reach New 

 Zealand or the remoter Pacific Islands. The South American 

 genus, Nydibius, differs in structure and habits from the other 

 goat-suckers and should perhaps form a distinct family. More 

 than half the genera inhabit the Neotropical region. The genera 

 are as follows : — 



Nydibius (6 sp.), Brazil to Guatemala, Jamaica ; Capri- 

 mulgus (35 sp.), Palsearctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian regions, with 

 the Austro-Malay Islands and North Australia ; Hydropsalis 

 (8 sp.). Tropical South America to La Plata ; Antrostomus (10 



