27 G i'ASSERES. BIRDS. CAPRIMULGID.E. 
to be seen through it ; and, on the other hand, the eye 
is too completely fi.xed in its orbit to be capable of 
performing the singular movement, which would be 
necessary to enable it to take any part in such an 
unusual proceeding. 
The eggs of the Goatsucker are usually two in 
number, of a white colour, clouded with bl^ish-gre3^ 
They are deposited in a depression or cavity on the 
surface of the ground under the shelter of a bush, 
generally with scarcely any attempt at a nest. In this 
country the eggs are deposited about the first week in 
June. 
THE BOMBAY GOATSUCKER ( Caprimulgus asiaticm). 
— Several species of the genus Caprimulgus are found 
in India, and of these that called the Bombay Goat- 
sucker by Latham is the commonest and most widely 
distributed, occurring abundantly in all parts of the 
peninsula. It also occurs in the Transgangetic countries. 
In its habits it resembles our British species, sheltering 
itself under hedges and bushes, and laying its eggs on 
the ground without a nest. The eggs are pink, spotted 
with brown. “ The note of this species,” according to 
Mr. Jerdon, “resembles the sound of a stone scudding 
on ice and Mr. EUiott compares it with the words 
tyooh, tyook, tyook. 
THE LARGE INDIAN GOATSUCKER {Caprhnulgtis 
indicus), which is as widely distributed as the preceding 
species, but far less abundant, is a large species of an 
ash colour, with numerous transverse black lines, and 
spotted with rusty red on the cheeks, breast, and wings. 
The tail is banded with black. This bird is found 
chiefly in the wooded districts of the Indian peninsula, 
where it passes the day under the sheher of the trees, 
and comes forth into the open country in the evening 
in pursuit of its prey. Its habits resemble those of the 
European species, and its note is something like that of 
the Bombay Goatsucker, being compared by Mr. Jerdon 
to the S 3 'llables tero-yo-yo frequently repeated. 
THE COLLARED GOATSUCKER {Caprimulgus pec- 
toralis), a native of the Cape of Good Hope, is dis- 
tinguished by having an ash-coloured band on the 
breast. During the breeding season, which commences 
in the month of September, the male indulges in a 
very loud and singular song, which he begins abotit an 
hour after sunset, and often continues all night, if the 
weather be fine and light. Le Vaillant says that when 
he happened to encamp in the vicinit3f of these birds, 
the incessant song of the male rendered it impossible 
for him to sleep. The habits of the bird are very 
similar to those of the European species ; the eggs are 
deposited on the ground, frequeiitl3' even in the midst 
of a path, a custom which is not peculiar to the present 
species. Both the male and the female sit upon the 
eggs, and when tlnis engaged in an exposed situation 
they will remain at their post until the wayfarer is on 
the point of treading on them, when they rise almost 
from under his feet. Notwithstanding the little care 
which they seem to take to conceal their eggs, they are 
very jealous of these treasures, and remove them 
immediately on perceiving that they have been touched. 
Le Vaillant states that this removal is effected by the 
parents taking each an egg in their mouths, and flying 
oil with them. 
THE WHIP-POOR-WILL {Caprimulgus vociferus), one 
of the commonest American species of this genus, is 
found in most parts of tlie United States, where, how- 
ever, it is a bird of passage, usually arriving from the 
south towards the end of April, and departing for 
its winter abode about the beginning of September. 
It measures nine inches and a half in length, and 
exhibits in its plumage a mixture of black, pale cream 
colour, brown and rusty red, “ sprinkled and powdered 
in such minute streaks and spots,” to borrow Wilson’s 
words, “as to def3' description.” The tail, which is 
rounded, has the three outer feathers on each side 
blackish brown for half their length, and the remainder, 
to the tips, pure white ; tire four middle feathers are 
marked with herring-bone lines of black and yellow. 
The Whip-poor-will usually resorts to elevated and 
dry situations, and is rarely seen or heard in low 
marshy districts. Like the preceding Goatsuckers, it 
is nocturnal in its habits, sitting close during the day 
in the most retired and shady spots to be found in the 
woods, or on the steep bushy banks of a creek or river. 
When disturbed in the day time, it sails slowly through 
the wood to a short distance, and then settles generally 
on a low branch of a tree. At dusk these birds issue 
from their concealment, and hawk about in the manner 
of their European congener in pursuit of night-flying 
insects ; they are also said by Wilson to feed upon 
“ grasshoppers, pismires, and such insects as frequent 
the bark of old, rotten, and decaying timber.” Their 
note, which is emitted in the evening and night, espe- 
cially during the breeding season, is described as 
distinctly resembling the syllables whip-poor-will, the 
first and last syllables being uttered rvith great emphasis, 
and the whole occupying about a second in its emission. 
Between each repetition of the note a sort of cluck 
may often be heard by a person in the immediate 
vicinity of the bird ; and when two males meet, their 
notes are reiterated rapidly and incessantly, as if each 
were straining to overpower and silence the other. 
Amongst the Indians this bird, from its nocturnal and 
noiseless activity and its singular note, became the 
object of some superstitious dread, in this respect 
sharing the evil repute of the owl. With the white 
settlers in the United States, however, the Whip-poor- 
will appears to be rather a favourite ; for although 
Wilson tells us that the shrill and confused clamours of 
these birds, as evening draws on, are very surprising to 
a stranger, he adds that “ they soon become extremely 
agreeable. The inhabitants lie down at night lulled by 
their whistlings, and the first approaches of dawn are 
announced b3' a general and lively chorus of the same 
music ; while the full-toned tooting, as it is called, of 
the pinnated grouse, forms a very pleasing bass to the 
whole.” 
The female begins to lay about the second week in 
Ma3'’, and, like her European relative, takes no trouble 
in preparing a nest, but deposits her eggs either on the 
bare ground or on a few diy leaves. She always 
selects a dry situation, in the most sequestered part of 
the wood. 
THE CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW {Cap>rimidgus caro- 
linensis), is another American species, the somewhat 
singular name applied to which has been derived from 
