>'I0I1TJA11S AXD KINGFISHERS. 
abroad after sunset ; and these are produced in the 
greatest profusion, IMr. Mudie states, where the sea- 
sons are strongly contrasted by alternating drought 
and rain. The former reduces the land to a state of 
desolation almost equal to that of winter, and the 
rains which follow stimulate both the vegetable and 
insect kingdoms to actmty and health. At certain 
seasons in these latitudes the night air is literally 
crowded with insects, and the Caprwiidgidce are con- 
sequently present also to keep in check their too 
rapid multiplication. I^halcence and beetles of large 
size are then upon the wing, and the open mouth of 
the Groatsucker, with its expanded fringe of vibrissae, 
is ready to capture them. 
It has been observed that the sounds which they 
utter are very striking ; some have been thus amus- 
ingly described by Mr. Materton, in his “ Mander- 
ings.” Alluding to the birds of this family which in- 
habit Demerara, he says : there are nine species here ; 
the largest appears nearly the size of the English 
wood-owl. Its cry is so remarkable, that having once 
heard it you will never forget it. When night reigns 
over those immeasurable wilds, whilst lying in your 
hammock, you will hear this Goatsucker lamenting 
like one in deep distress. A stranger would never 
conceive it to be the cry of a bird, he would say it 
was the departing voice of a midnight-murdered vic- 
tim, or the last wailing of Niobe for her poor children, 
before she was turned into stone. Suppose yourself 
in hopeless sorrow, begin udth a high-toned note, and 
pronounce ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, each note lower 
and lower, till the last is scarcely heard, pausing a 
