4 
BEAUTIFUL BIEDS. 
others are natives of the warmer climates of Asia, 
Africa, and America. 
The name Groatsucker was given to this bird, or 
genus of birds, in early times on account of its sup- 
posed familiarity with cattle, and of its propensity to 
suck goats. The French call it Engoiolivent, a name 
signifying “swallower of the wind,” which is scarcely 
more appropriate than the former, though as the bird 
Hies open-mouthed when feeding, and as its gape is 
very wide, a large current of air sets into its mouth 
and comes out again at the sides, making a peculiar 
booming or whirring sound, something like that made 
by the old-fashioned wheels used in hand-spinning 
wool. It has obtained some of its common English 
names from this sound, such as the “ Wlieel-bird,” 
“Churn-owl,” “Jar-owl,” and latterly “ Nightjar.” It 
lias also been called “Dor-hawk,” partly, perhaps, from 
the sound which it emits having some resemblance to 
that made by the dor-beetle, and partly also from the 
number of those beetles which it captures. It has 
likewise been named “Eern-owl,” from its proneness 
to hawk about the fern brakes in quest of its prey. 
Considerable difference as to size exists in diHerent 
species ; but the colour of the plumage is very similar, 
and the various tints are so intermingled that the 
most laborious description must fail to convey any 
idea of it. The general colours are brown, grey, 
rufous, and whitish, disposed in a diversity of marks, 
bands, and spots throughout the plumage. 
Goatsuckers are most numerous in those portions 
of the globe which are favourable to the production of 
the numerous hosts of insects that are only seen 
