( 138 ) 

 THE GREAT GOATSUCKER. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Bill very fliort, hooked at the end, and very flightly notched near the 



point. 

 Nostrils tubular, and a litde prominent. 

 Mouth extremely wide, the edges of the upper mandible furnilhed with 



ftiff bridles. 

 Tongue fmall, entire at the end. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &c. 



Cream-coloured Goatfucker, fpeclded and varied with black and brown. 



Grand Goatfucker. 



Lath. SynopJ. p. 590. 

 Le Grand Ibijau. 



Buff. oij. 6. p. 541. 



TH E birds of this genus are diftinguifhed by having the beak very fmall, 

 while the rid:us or opening of the mouth runs extremely backwards on 

 each fide, fo as to pafs far beyond the mandibles themfelves. In confequence 

 of this formation the mouth appears of fo immoderate a fize, as to be almoft 

 viewed in the light of a deformity. This very circumftance however is the 

 kind provifion of nature for enabling the birds of this genus to fupport their 

 exiftence. They fly only by night, and feed on the larger infefis, as beetles, 

 moths, &c. which this large extent of mouth enables them the more eafily to 



obtain. 



In 



