108 . CLASS AVE9. 



observed, she changes their place, by pushing them forward 

 dexterously with her wings into some other spot, and some- 

 times even carrying them there with her bill. 



This goatsucker is migratory. It arrives in our climates 

 in spring, and departs in autumn. In the latter season the 

 greater number of these birds are usually seen, but they are 

 preparing to quit us for other regions, where their food is 

 more abundant. These birds are found from the most 

 northern parts of Europe even into Africa. They pass the 

 month of April in Malta, whither they are carried by the 

 south-west wind, and where they are also found in great 

 numbers in the autumnal season. They do not arrive in this 

 country until towards the end of May, and they leave us 

 about the middle of August. They remain later in France, 

 and may be seen even in November. It is said, that many 

 birds of this species have been killed in the woods of Vosges, 

 in the middle of winter and in the depth of snow. Still, 

 however, this must be very rarely, as, at such periods, the 

 insectivorous birds must experience the greatest difficulty in 

 procuring an adequate supply of aliment. 



The Leona Goatsucker, Cap. limgipennis and inacrodip- 

 tenis, is remarkable for along single feather issuing from the 

 wing, the shaft being without web till near the end where 

 the web is broad ; this feather is much longer than the bird 

 itself. The species, as to colour, is assimilated to the common 

 goatsucker. Very little is known of its habits, though many 

 specimens have been brought to England : our figure is from 

 one in the late RiddelFs museum. 



The Virginian Goatsucker is found from Virginia as far as 

 Hudson''s Bay, after the middle of April. Unlike most of its 

 congeners, this species does not prefer the tops of trees, but 

 resorts to bushes, or the top of a post or rail, wlience it will 

 leap up to catch the insects, as they pass over it. For some 

 time about sunrise, and again at sunset, it is constantly 



