134 CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



continue to sit, even after the nestlings have left the shell, in order to keep them warm : according 

 to some authorities, this practice is continued until they are almost fledged. The young are fed 

 during the night, and reared upon a variety of insect food. When taken from the nest, they thrive 

 and grow rapidly, if provided with a plentiful supply of flies. 



The GIANT GOATSUCKERS (Nyctibius) constitute another South American group, easily 

 recognisable by their strongly-hooked beak, heavy foot, the central toe of which has no serrated 

 claw, powerful body, and large head. The wings (in which the third quill exceeds the rest in 

 length) are long and pointed, the tail long, and slightly rounded, and the plumage rich, soft, and lax. 

 The beak is very peculiar in its formation, and appears triangular when seen from above ; the upper 

 mandible is extremely broad at its base, sloping gently downwards as far as the nostrils, from which 

 point it becomes thin, round, compressed, and curves gently over the lower mandible, which is also 

 slightly bent at its tip, and somewhat shorter than the upper portion. The sharp edges of the beak 

 have a tooth-like appendage, about one line in length, placed just where it begins to curve. The 

 jaws open almost to the ears, and the gape is therefore enormous. The horny portion of the bill is 

 almost entirely concealed from view by a growth of feathers intermixed with bristles, which covers 

 the upper mandible, from the nostrils almost to the tip. The legs are short, the toes slender, and the 

 claws comparatively strong and hooked. The central nail has a prominent ridge. 



- THE IBIJAU, OR EARTH-EATER. 



The Ibijau, or Earth-eater {Nyctibius grandis), is by far the largest member of this group. 

 Its length, according to the Prince von Wied, exceeds twenty-one, and its breadth forty-seven 

 inches ; the wing measures fifteen inches and a half, and the tail ten inches and one-third. A whitish 

 or greyish yellow predominates in the coloration of the plumage, which is darkest upon the upper 

 portion of the body, and marked with a variety of fine brown and black lines ; the head-feathers have 

 dark streaks upon the shafts, and triangular spots at the tip. The edges of the wings and region of 

 the shoulders are deep reddish brown, streaked with black, and intermixed with white spots upon the 

 carpal joint ; the under side is white, ornamented with curved brown lines, each feather being tipped 

 with yellow , the quills are dark greyish brown, striped with a paler shade, and spotted with white 

 upon the outer web, the tail-feathers are decorated with six or seven dark and light stripes, the 

 throat is white, marked with brown, as is the breast, the latter is also streaked longitudinally with 

 black ; the hinder parts of the body are pure white ; the beak and feet are yellowish grey, and the 

 eyes dark blackish brown. 



These large Goatsuckers, though by no means rare in South America, are not frequently seen, as 

 they remain during the entire day ensconced at the summit of the most lofty trees, lying full length 

 upon the thickly foliaged branches in the manner already described. So closely does their plumage 

 resemble the bark of the trees on which they recline, that it is very difficult to detect their presence, 

 and so extremely dull are some species that, as the Prince von Wied tells us, they allow themselves 

 to be fired at repeatedly without attempting to stir, or will sit quietly and permit a snare to be 

 thrown over their heads. We cease to wonder at such utter stupidity when we learn from the same 

 source that though the body of these Swallows equals that of the Raven, their brain does not exceed 

 a hazel-nut in size. Evening has no sooner set in than, like their congeners, they at once commence 

 their search for moths and similar prey, in pursuit of which they soar to a very considerable height ; 

 and it is by no means rare to find the ground completely strewn with the wings of the enormous moths 

 and butterflies which they attack and seize in their huge beaks. During the night their dismal cry is 

 constantly heard, as one mate calls to the other; but when morning approaches they seek their 



