538 



PASSEEINES. 



consumption of the nest of the Salangane (Fig. 244) in China, in 

 spite of its high price, is very considerable. From the days of 

 Bufibn there have been exported from the coast of Cochin China 

 four millions of them annually ; and the proprietors of one cavern 

 in the island of Java receive annually fifty thousand florins for 

 rent alone. 



The distinctive features of the GOATSUCKERS (Caprimulgus) are a 



Fig. 243. The Salangane Swallow (Hirundo escutenta, White). 



short, much-depressed bill ; the body small in proportion to the 

 plumage ; the neck short ; the head large, broad, and depressed ; 

 the eyes very large and broad ; the feet very small ; tarsi 

 partially feathered ; toes four, the lower surface broad and 

 flattened, the anterior toes connected by basal membranes ; claws 

 moderate, arched, and compressed. The plumage is full, soft, 

 downy, and blended, like the Owl's ; the wings have the second 

 and third quills longest ; tail long and rounded. Almost all the 

 species have strong bristles along the base of the upper mandible, 



