Identifier: reptilesbirdspo00figu (find matches)
Title: Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting.
Year: 1873 (1870s)
Authors: Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894 Gillmore, Parker
Subjects: Birds Reptiles
Publisher: New York : D. Appleton and Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ts on which they feed. They move silently, and withgreat rapidity. Some authors say that when on the wing they keepthe mouth open; but this is not supported by facts, and is opposedto reason. The insects they principally devour are moths, dragon-flies, beetles, crickets, cockchafers, and mosquitoes. Their useful-ness therefore is nearly equal to that of the Swallow. As they get 512 REPTILES AND BIRDS. very plump and fat in the autumn, they fall a sacrifice to the gunner,and in their turn are eaten by gourmets greater than themselves.They are migratory birds, travelling only during the night. Theyare readily distinguished by the bristles at the base of the bill, andby the claws of the middle toe, which is toothed. The object ofthis toothed appendage has been the subject of speculation. Somewriters fond of the marvellous even surmise that it is intended tocomb and smooth the head-feathers. Mr. Vigors is of opinion thatit may be useful as a further power of prehension, citing, in support
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225.—The Night jar. of his view, the family of the Ardeidce among the wading birds,which exhibit an analogous construction in the middle nail. Throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia theGoatsuckers are diffused, and naturalists have divided them intoseveral sub-genera, such as Podargus^ represented by Fodargushumeralis of the Gold River, and Podargiis javanensis, the Chabba-wonno of Java, and the Guacharo Bird, Sieatornis villot of Hum-boldt and Bonpland. The typical species of Caprimulgus is the Night-jar (6*. euro-pceus, Fig. 225). It is rather larger than a Thrush; and Montagustates that he observed on one occasion a flock of eight or tenon the wing together, in the-dusk of the evening, skimming over DENT/ROSTRES. 513. the surface of the ground, after the manner of Swallows in pursuit ofinsects. Its nest is of the simplest kind, for it deposits its eggs onthe bare ground, or upon a few dry leaves. These eggs, in numberonly two, are hatched by the female in fourtee

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