NIGHTJARS 
(CaprimuigidiE} 
The niglitjars, or as they are equally well-known, the goat- 
suckers, are mainly crepuscular or nocturnal in habits. Like 
the swifts they are well adapted for the aerial life they lead for 
the legs are very small and weak, the wings long and blade- 
like and the mouth, which is protected by stiff bristles, very 
large. The plumage is soft and fiufify like that of the owls. 
In most cases the eggs are laid on the ground and no attempt 
is made at nest building. 
Nightjars were at one time, and perhaps- even now in some 
countiy districts at home, regarded with superstition on account 
of their reputed habit of milking goats. There is of course 
no element of truth in this belief. 
Only four species are found in the Malay Peninsula and of 
these two are common in Singapore. 
The Frogmouths {Podargid^) are nocturnal, picarian birds 
nearly related to the nightjars towards which they bear a 
considerable resemblance. 
They are only found in the Oriental and Australian regions 
and three species are known from Malaya, Of these, one has 
been recorded from Singapore, Batrachosionms stcUatus, but 
even supposing Ihis record to be accurate, we very much doubt 
if the bird will ever be met with again on the island. Here 
abo m^y be mentioned the well-known Hoopoe Famify 
{Upnpid<c) which is also- found in the Malay Peninsula but not 
in Singapore. 
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