VI PODARGIDAE STEATORNITHIDAE 4 I 9 



Fam. IX. Podargidae. — This group includes some five and 

 twenty members of the genera Podargus, Batrachostomus ^ (Frog- 

 mouth), and Aegotheles. The first and last occupy Papuasia, 

 Tasmania, and Australia, the second ranges from the Himalayas 

 to Ceylon, the Philippines, and Malay Isjands. 



Fam. X. Steatornithidae. — This contains only the curious 

 Gruacharo, or Oil -bird (Steatornis caripensis) discovered in 1799 

 by Humboldt and Bonpland at Caripe in Venezuela, but now 

 known to breed also in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as 

 in Guiana and Trinidad. Somewhat intermediate between the 

 Owls and the Nightjars, this species is about the size of a Crow, 

 with a similar hard beak, hooked and deeply notched, while it has 

 twelve long stiff bristles on each side of the gape. The tibiae and 

 metatarsi are covered with smooth, flesh-coloured skin, the toes 

 being deeply cleft, and not basally united. The tongue is thin and 

 triangular, the nostrils have a horny covering, the after-shaft is 

 fairly large, while the rest of the structure is mainly Caprimulgine. 

 The acuminate and not particularly soft feathers are chocolate and 

 grey, with darker barring above, and shew white spots, often sur- 

 rounded by black, in various parts. This bird inhabits sea-side or 

 mountain-caverns, only issuing forth at dusk to traverse considerable 

 distances in search of its food, which consists mainly, if not wholly, 

 of fruits. The flight is noiseless, and occasionally high in the air. 

 Visitors to the breeding caves are suddenly surrounded by a circling 

 crowd of Oil-birds uttering loud croaking or rasping cries, the effect 

 being enhanced by the rush of multitudinous wings. A more plain- 

 tive note is uttered by individuals at rest. The numerous nests, 

 each containing from two to four white or dirt-begrimed eggs, are 

 flat circular masses of a clay-like substance, placed on ledges or in 

 holes ; while the nestlings are considered a table delicacy, though 

 said to be scented like cockroaches. The natives systematically kill 

 large numbers at certain seasons by knocking them down with 

 poles when scared by torchlight, and melt out the abundant fat 

 to procure the oil, which gives the bird its name. This oil is 

 used for ilhmiination or cooking, and keeps admirably. 



The Sub-Order Cypseli consists of the Families Cypselidae 

 or Swifts, and Trochilidue or Humming-birds,^ which were first 



1 Of. the French " Crapaud-volant " or Flying Frog, applied to Nightjars. 

 ^ The Cypselomorphae of Huxley included Swifts, Humming-birds, and the 

 Nightjar group. 



