. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. ORDER OF GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, ETC. Order Macrochires IKE the order of Cuckoos, this is a composite order. It inchides three sub- orders, each with but one family. These families differ widely from one another in nearly every respect. They are alike on the one point of having small, weak feet, totally unfit for perching. As a result they spend most of their time flying about, and take their food from the air. This in turn has led to a development of the hand or distal-section of the wing — hence the name of the order, Macrochires, which literally mea
. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. ORDER OF GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, ETC. Order Macrochires IKE the order of Cuckoos, this is a composite order. It inchides three sub- orders, each with but one family. These families differ widely from one another in nearly every respect. They are alike on the one point of having small, weak feet, totally unfit for perching. As a result they spend most of their time flying about, and take their food from the air. This in turn has led to a development of the hand or distal-section of the wing — hence the name of the order, Macrochires, which literally means " large ;. 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 s
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