512 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



very plump and fat in the autumn, they fall a sacrifice to the gunner, 

 and in their turn are eaten by gourmets greater than themselves. 

 They are migratory birds, travelling only during the night. They 

 are readily distinguished by the bristles at the base of the bill, and 

 by the claws of the middle toe, which is toothed. The object of 

 this toothed appendage has been the subject of speculation. Some 

 writers fond of the marvellous even surmise that it is intended to 

 comb and smooth the head-feathers. Mr. Vigors is of opinion that 

 it may be useful as a further power of prehension, citing, in support 



225. — The Night jar. 



of his view, the family of the Ardeidce among the wading birds, 

 which exhibit an analogous construction in the middle nail. 



Throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia the 

 Goatsuckers are diffused, and naturalists have divided them into 

 several sub-genera, such as Podargus, represented by Podargus 

 humeralis of the Gold River, and Podargus javanmsis, the Chabba- 

 wonno of Java, and the Guacharo Bird, Steatomis villot of Hum- 

 boldt and Bonpland, 



The typical species of Caprimulgus is the Night-jar (C. euro- 

 pceus, Fig. 225). It is rather larger than a Thrush; and Montagu 

 states that he observed on one occasion a flock of eight or ten 

 on the wing together, in the dusk of the evening, skimming over 



