Order Macrochires
GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS, ETC.
FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ. NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC.
Goatsuckers are found in most parts of the world, but are more numerously represented in the tropics. Some eighty-five species are known, of which about one half are American, though only seven reach North America. Most of the American species are forest-inhabiting, passing the day upon the leaves or perched lengthwise upon the branches of trees, where their dull, blended colors harmonize with their surroundings. The Nighthawks, however, are equally at home in treeless countries. Nighthawks feed high in the air, like Swifts, while other species frequent the borders of forests or clearings, where they feed nearer the ground. All the species capture their food of insects on the wing, their enormous mouths and the long, stiffened bristles, which in some species beset its base, especially adapting them to this mode of feeding. Many of the species are possessed of remarkable vocal powers, and their cries are among the most striking of bird notes.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A. A white spot in the wing. 420. NIGHTHAWK. 420c. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. B. No white spot in the wing; primaries spotted with rufous. a. Wing under 7.50 b. Wing over 7.50. 417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. 416. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. 416. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmel.). CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. Ad. 8.-Upper parts streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraceousbuff and black; primaries black, with broken rufous bars; tail mottled with black and ochraceous-buff, the end half of all but the two middle feathers white, more or less washed with buffy on the inner vane; under parts mot- WHIP-POOR-WILL.
NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. 237 tled with black, ochraceous, and cream-buff; an imperfect whitish band across the upper breast; base of the bill beset with long, stiffened bristles, the basal half of these bristles grown with hairlike branches. Ad. 2.-Similar, but with no white patches in the tail, the upper breast with an ochraceousbuff instead of white band. L., 12.00; W., 8.50; T., 6.00; B., 40.