. Birds of Massachusetts and other New England states. Birds; Birds. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW 299 grow on either side of the head above the mouth, and extending outward thus increase the efficiency of this perfect insect trap by broadening its scope. The plumage is provided with aftershafts and the oil gland is nude. The wings are long in most cases and ample with ten primaries; the tail medium with ten tail-feathers; the feet exceedingly small; the toes are shortened (outer toe very short with only four phalanges, hind toe exceedingly short, middle toe longer than other front toes, claw usually pec
. Birds of Massachusetts and other New England states. Birds; Birds. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW 299 grow on either side of the head above the mouth, and extending outward thus increase the efficiency of this perfect insect trap by broadening its scope. The plumage is provided with aftershafts and the oil gland is nude. The wings are long in most cases and ample with ten primaries; the tail medium with ten tail-feathers; the feet exceedingly small; the toes are shortened (outer toe very short with only four phalanges, hind toe exceedingly short, middle toe longer than other front toes, claw usually pectinate), all of them being webbed toward their bases. The colors are modest and protective, as they must be with birds which incubate their eggs and brood their young unhidden on the ground. Most of the species, which are largely nocturnal or crepuscular, have loud, impressive, peculiar night-cries. Their food consists chiefly of insects taken on the wing, though some of the larger species occasionally catch and swallow small birds. The family is common to both the Old World and the New. Goatsuckers inhabit temperate and tropical regions; Over 100 species have been described. Economic Status. The members of this exceedingly useful family obtain their sus- tenance largely by devouring injurious insects. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmelin). Chuck-will's-widow. Description. — Largest goatsucker in the United States; bristles on sides of mouth have lateral filaments; wings long, tail rounded, legs feathered in front nearly to toes; inner side of claw of middle toe comb-Uke with prominent pectinations; extremely variable in markings; some individuals much darker than others. Adult male: Above generally dark wood-brown with rather heavy streaks or dashes of black, sparingly disposed in Unes on top of head, with lesser streaks of same elsewhere above, where sprinkled with minute specks of black on ground color varying from tawny to yellowish-gray, with many fine vermiculations also of
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Keywords: ., bookauthorforb, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds
