BIRDS OF NORTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA. 495 



Genus SIPHONORHIS Sclater. 



Siphonorhis Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1861, 77. (Type, Caprimulgvs 

 americanus Linnseus.) 



Medium-sized Caprimulginse (length about 225 mm.) with the very 

 strong bill broader than long at frontal feathering, the expanded 

 portion distinctly convex in vertical profile; nostrils roundish, in the 

 apex of a stalklike tube; tenth (outermost) primary much shorter 

 than sixth; tail nearly as long as wing, strongly rounded, the rectrices 

 relatively rather narrow and only slightly if at all iacreasLng in width 

 terminally; primaries spotted with dull tawny-buff, without white 

 patch. 



Bill very broad and strong basally, its width at frontal feathering 

 greater than its length from same point, the expanded portion with 

 distinctly convex outliaes, the short tip abruptly and greatly con- 

 tracted, in vertical profile; culmen very strongly decurved, distinctly 

 ridged (except terminally). Nostril circular, in end of a distinct, 

 obliquely vertical, stalklike tube. Rictal bristles long (about twice 

 as long as bill), but not very strong. Wing moderate, rounded, the 

 eighth primary longest, seventh and ninth slightly shorter and equal, 

 the tenth (outermost) slightly longer than fifth. Tail nearly as long 

 as wing (more than six-sevenths as long), distinctly rounded (the 

 lateral rectrices about six-sevenths as long as middle pair), the 

 rectrices relatively rather narrow, neither narrowing nor widening 

 terminally. Tarsus slightly longer than middle toe with claw, 

 nearly one-fifth as long as wing, stout, entirely naked (except extreme 

 upper portion in front); outer toe, without claw, reaching to about 

 middle of penultimate phalanx of middle toe, very slightly longer 

 than inner toe; hallux, with claw, slightly longer than basal phalanx 

 of middle toe; claws all unusually short and thick. 



Plumage and coloration. — Feathers of pUeum rather narrow ter- 

 minally, especially on center of crown, those on sides of occiput not 

 elongated; feathers of chest normal (not developed into an erectUe 

 flap or apron). Primaries spotted with dull tawny-buff or clay color, 

 hut without white patch; rectrices (except middle pair) tipped with 

 white; a white band across lower throat. 



Range. — Island of Jamaica. (Monotypic.) 



SIPHONORHIS AMERICANA (Linnaeus). 



JAMAICAN GOATSUCKER. 



Adult male. — PUeum mixed brown and pale brownish gray, finely 

 vermiculated with darker, and streaked with black, the streaks broader 

 on median portion; hindneck similar but more narrowly streaked, the 

 lower portion dull tawny, forming an indistinct coUar; back, rump, 

 and upper tail-coverts light brown, vermiculated or freckled with 



