ORDER PASSERES. 71 



cleft than that of the swallows, furnished with strong 

 mustachios, and capable of engulphing the largest 

 insects, which it retains by means of a glutinous 

 saliva. On the base are the nostrils, in the form of 

 small tubes ; their wings are long, the tail squared, 

 the feet short, with feathered tarsi, and toes united 

 at the base by a short membrane ; the thumb itself 

 is thus united to the external toe, and can be directed 

 forward ; the claw of the middle toe is often indented 

 at its internal edge, and the external toe has but four 

 phalanges, a conformation rare among the birds. 

 These birds live in an isolated manner ; fly only 

 during twilight or on fine nights, pursuing the pha- 

 lenae, and other nocturnal insects. They nestle on 

 the ground inartificially, and lay a smaU number of 

 eggs. The air, which is engulphed in their large 

 bill, as they fly along, produces a peculiar humming 

 sound. 



We have but one species of them in Europe. 



Caprimulgus Europeus. L. Enl. 195. 



As large as a thrush ; of a gray brown, undulated 

 and spotted with a blackish brown ; a whitish band 

 proceeding from the bill to the nape. It nestles in 

 the furze, and lays only two eggs. 



America produces many of these birds, with a 

 round or square tail, one which is as large as an owl. 

 Caprim. grandis. Enl. 325. and another, C. vociferus, 

 Wils. V. 41, celebrated by the loud noise which it 

 makes during spring. 



Another European species has been discovered. 



