6(5 
AFRICAN LONG-TAILED NIGIIT-JAR. 
Scolornis dimaturus, Swains. 
Tail, very long, cuneated, the tip and external margin of tho 
outer feather entirely white ; wings, black ; the tips of tho 
lesser, and a band across the middle of the greater quills, 
■ snowy ; second and third quill equal and lougest. 
Caprimulgus climaturus, Vkill. Gall, des Oiscau. 
The scientific name of Caprimulgus , imposed by 
antiquity upon the Night-jars, is, it must be con- 
fessed, highly objectionable; inasmuch as it is 
founded in a superstitious belief, credited by our 
simple ancestors, that these birds sucked the milk not 
only of goats but cows. This vulgar error has long 
• been dissipated, yet it is perpetuated in the name, 
which therefore offers a favourable instance to sup- 
port the arguments of those who contend that such 
appellations should be altogether abolished. We do 
not, however, exactly subscribe to this opinion, be- 
cause, as the Latin name is only in use among those 
who know the real habits of the bird, there can be 
no danger of its giving an erroneous impression ; 
while, on the other hand, it is so perpetuated in 
the writings of all ornithologists, both ancient and 
modern, that it has become, as it were, incorporated 
