I CAPIlIMULGINiE. CAPRIMULGUS. 77 
I very short, much depressed, generally feeble, the horny 
1 part being small ; upper mandible with the dorsal line 
I convex, the ridge rather narrow, the edges inflected to- 
' ward the end, the tip very narrow, and deflected ; lower 
mandible smaller, with the angle extremely large, the 
crura slender, the edges inflected tov/ard the end, the tip 
small and deflected. Mouth extremely wide ; palate 
j' smooth, and nearly transparent ; tongue extremely small, 
j slender, tapering to an obtuse point ; oesophagus wide, 
very thin, without crop ; stomach large, roundish, its 
I muscular coat very thin, the epithelium very hard, with 
I prominent longitudinal rugse ; intestine short, wide, ex- 
tremely thin ; coeca large, oblong, narrowed at the base, 
as in Owls and Cuckoos ; cloaca globular. Trachea of 
nearly uniform width, without inferior laryngeal muscles. 
Eyes very large. Nostrils elliptical. Apertures of ears 
large. Feet very small ; tarsus partially feathered ; toes 
four, the anterior connected by basal membranes, the 
first short and directed inwards, the second next, the 
third long ; claws moderate, well arched, compressed, 
acute. Plumage full, very soft, blended; wings very 
long, with the second and third quills longest ; tail long, 
I of twelve feathers ; almost all the species with very large 
bristles at the base of the upper mandible. 
These birds are remarkable for their nocturnal habits, 
light and rapid flight, and great activity. They feed on 
insects, although some are said to be frugivorous, and ar^ 
especially inhabitants of warm climates ; several, however, 
residing during the summer in the colder countries. They 
nestle on the ground, in caves, or in hollow trees, and 
generally lay two eggs. The young, at first covered with 
down, remain until able to fly. 
GENUS XX. CAPRIMULGUS. GOATSUCKER. 
Bill extremely small, feeble, triangular, depressed ; upper 
mandible compressed toward the very small, deflected tip, 
