CHAPTER XII 



GOATSUCKERS, HUMMING-BIRDS, ETC. 



NiGHTHAWKS, Whip-poor-wiUs, Swifts, and Humming- 

 birds are found in the same order, though in different fam- 

 ilies. Nighthawks and whip-poor-wills belong to the goat- 

 sucker family. Only seven birds of this family reach North 

 America. JNIost of them live in forests, perching lengthwise 

 on the branches of trees, in imitation of knots. The night- 

 hawk is often found in treeless regions as well. Color 

 protection of all species is strongly marked. Birds of this 

 family capture their insect prey on the wing, aided by their 

 large mouth, and in some species further helped by the 

 stiffened bristles at the side of the mouth. Most of the birds 

 of this family utter wierd notes, especially the whip-poor- 

 will. The feet are weak, but flight is strong. 



Swifts secrete glue from the throat in order to fasten 

 sticks together to make their nests. The young are fed by 

 regurgitation. Swifts are diurnal, while goatsuckers are 

 nocturnal. Swifts are generally gregarious. While for- 

 merly using hollow trees, they now use chimneys almost 

 exclusively. They feed while flying, never alighting except 

 in the chimneys. The resemblance to swallows is only super- 

 ficial. 



Humming-birds are confined to the New World. Of 

 the four hundred known species, only one, the ruby-throated, 

 nests east of the ^Mississippi River, though the rivoli may be 



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