. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. GOATSUCKERS Order Macrochires; suborder Caprimulgi; family Caprimulgidcc OATSUCKERS or Nightjars are small to medium-sized (rarely rather large) birds with small, weak bill, deeply cleft mouth, weak feet, long wings, and protective coloration. Their dull colors, in elaborately mottled, freckled, or barred pattern, render them, when at rest, exceedingly difficult to dis- tinguish from their immediate surroundings of stony or sandy ground, dry leaves, or grass, or branches of trees. None of the species are known to build a nest, the eggs (also, as a r
. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. GOATSUCKERS Order Macrochires; suborder Caprimulgi; family Caprimulgidcc OATSUCKERS or Nightjars are small to medium-sized (rarely rather large) birds with small, weak bill, deeply cleft mouth, weak feet, long wings, and protective coloration. Their dull colors, in elaborately mottled, freckled, or barred pattern, render them, when at rest, exceedingly difficult to dis- tinguish from their immediate surroundings of stony or sandy ground, dry leaves, or grass, or branches of trees. None of the species are known to build a nest, the eggs (also, as a rule, protectively colored) being deposited on the ground, or other plain surface. The young when hatched are covered with down but need the care of the parents. The members of this group gather their food either at night or during the twilight hours. Their days are passed in rest. They are chiefly insec- tivorous, though some of the larger species are known to swallow, entire, small birds. All of their food is caught on the wing. Many of the species are noted for peculiar cries, the Whip-poor-will and Chuck-will's-widow of the United States being well-known examples. The family is found nearly throughout the warmer portions of the world, and is very numerous in species, about fifty occurring in America. The name " Goatsucker " is derived from an old-time superstition that the common European species subsisted by milking the goats; doubtless this idea was fostered by seeing the birds fly near the goats at night or in the early evening searching for the insects surrounding the CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW Antrostomus carolinensis {Gmelin) A. O. U. Number 416 Other Name.— The Great Bat. General Description.— Length, 12 inches. Pliimase, a variegation of black, brown, gray, and buff. Rictal bristles zi'ith lateral filaments. Color.— Adult M.\r,E: General tone of upper parts, brown, more grayish on shoulder, everywhere minutely streaked and sprinkled with black (the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidbirdsofameri, bookyear1923
