Chapter XXIV: Section IV: Crown rufous; body above, olive-green (15)

Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, VI, p. 86) mentions finding this Flycatcher tolerably abundant both at Ciudad Bolivar and at Barcelona, but he did not meet with a specimen on the island of Trinidad. He notes its great resemblance in habits to the _Muscicapæ_ of Europe.

Dr. Kennerly reports that these birds were often observed by him at various points on the road, from Boca Grande to Los Nogales. It generally selected its perch on the topmost branch of some bush or tree, awaiting the approach of its insect food, and then sallying out to capture it. Sometimes it poised itself in a graceful manner in the air, while its bright plumage glistened in the sun like some brightly colored flower.

Dr. Heermann procured a specimen of this Flycatcher at Fort Yuma, where he was informed that it was quite common in spring. He saw other individuals of this species at Tucson in Sonora. These birds, he states, station themselves upon the topmost branches of trees, and when pursued appear quite wild, flying to a considerable distance before again alighting.

Dr. Cooper saw at Fort Mohave, May 24, a bird which he had no doubt was an individual of this species, but he was not able to procure it. It perched upon the tops of bushes, and would not suffer him to approach within shooting distance. One has since been taken by Mr. W. W. Holden in Colorado Valley, lat. 34°, April 18.

Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common on the flats near Peten, in Guatemala, as also on the pine ridges of Belize. They have, he states, a singular habit of spinning round and round on the wing, and then dropping suddenly with wings loose and fluttering as though shot,—apparently done for amusement. They lay three or four light-colored eggs in a small nest composed of light grass and lined with cottony materials. Mr. Xantus found the nest and eggs of this species at San José, Mexico, May 16, 1861.

FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ.—THE KINGFISHERS.

CHAR. Head large; bill long, strong, straight, and sub-pyramidal, usually longer than the head. Tongue very small. Wings short; legs small; the outer and middle toes united to their middle. Toes with the usual number of joints (2, 3, 4, 5).

The gape of the bill in the Kingfishers is large, reaching to beneath the eyes. The third primary is generally longest; the first decidedly shorter; the secondaries vary from twelve to fifteen in number, all nearly equal. The secondaries cover at least three quarters of the wing. The tail is short, the feathers twelve in number; they are rather narrow, the outer usually shorter. The lower part of the tibia is bare, leaving the joint and the tarsus uncovered. The tarsus is covered anteriorly with plates; behind, it is shagreen-like or granulated. The hind toe is connected with the inner, so as to form with it and the others a regular sole, which extends unbroken beneath the middle and outer as far as the latter are united. The inner toe is much shorter than the outer. The claws are sharp; the middle expanded on its inner edge, but not pectinated.

The North American species of Kingfisher belong to the subfamily _Cerylinæ_, characterized by the crested head, and the plumage varying with sex and age. The single genus _Ceryle_ includes two types, _Streptoceryle_ and _Chloroceryle_.

GENUS CERYLE, BOIE.

_Ceryle_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 316, ch. (Type, _Alcedo rudis_ of Africa.)
_Ispida_, SW. Birds, II, 1837, 336. (Type, _A. alcyon_, in part.)

GEN. CHAR. Bill long, straight, and strong, the culmen slightly advancing on the forehead and sloping to the acute tip; the sides much compressed; the lateral margins rather dilated at the base, and straight to the tip; the gonys long and ascending. Tail rather long and broad. Tarsi short and stout.

This genus is distinguished from typical _Alcedo_ (confined to the Old World) by the longer tail, an indented groove on each side the culmen, inner toe much longer than the hinder instead of equal, etc.

The two species of North American Kingfishers belong to two different subgenera of modern systematists, the one to _Streptoceryle_, Bonap., the other to _Chloroceryle_, Kaup. The characters of these subgenera are as follows:—

Streptoceryle, Bonap. (1854). Bill very stout and thick.
Tarsus about equal to the hind toe; much shorter than the
inner anterior. Plumage without metallic gloss; the
occipital feathers much elongated, linear, and distinct.
Type, _C. alcyon_.

Chloroceryle, Kaup (1849). Size smaller and shape more
slender than in the preceding. Bill long, thin. Tarsi
longer than hind toe; almost or quite as long as the inner
anterior. Plumage with a green metallic gloss above; the
occiput with a crest of rather short, indistinct feathers.
Type, _A. amazona_.

[Line drawing: _Ceryle alcyon._
1640]

The genus _Ceryle_ was established by Boie on the _Alcedo rudis_, of Linnæus, an African species. Modern systematists separate the American Kingfishers from those of the Old World, and if correct in so doing, another generic name must be selected for the former. If the two American sections be combined into one, _Chloroceryle_ of Kaup (type, _Alcedo amazona_) must be taken as being the older, unless, indeed, _Ispida_ of Swainson (1837) be admissible. This appears to have been based on _Alcedo alcyon_, although including also some Old World species.

Ceryle alcyon, BOIE.

BELTED KINGFISHER.

_Alcedo alcyon_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 180.—WILSON, Am. Orn.
III, 1811, 59.—AUDUBON, Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 384; pl.
lxxvii.—IB. Birds America.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 102.
_Ceryle alcyon_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 316.—BREWER, N. Am. Oology,
I, 1857, 110, pl. iv, fig. 52 (egg).—WOOD, Am. Naturalist,
1868, 379 (nesting).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 158.—COOPER &
SUCKLEY, 167.—DALL & BANNISTER, Ch. Ac. I, i, 1869, 275
(Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 29 (Alaska).—SAMUELS,
125.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 337.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 300.
_Megaceryle alcyon_, REICHENB. Handb. Sp. Orn. I, II, 1851, 25,
pl. ccccxii, fig. 3108-9. _Ispida ludoviciana_, GMELIN, Syst.
Nat. I, 1788, 452. “_Alcedo jaguacate_, DUMONT, Dict. Sc. Nat.
I, 1816, 455” (CASSIN). “_Alcedo guacu_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict.
XIX, 1818, 406,” (CASSIN). _Streptoceryle alcyon_, CABANIS,
Mus. Hein. II, 151.

SP. CHAR. Head with a long crest. Above ashy-blue, without metallic lustre. Beneath, with a concealed band across the occiput, and a spot anterior to the eye, pure white. A band across the breast, and the sides of the body under the wings, like the back. Primaries white on the basal half, the terminal unspotted. Tail with transverse bands and spots of white. _Female_ and _young_ with sides of body and a band across the belly below the pectoral one light chestnut; the pectoral band more or less tinged with the same. Length of adult about 12.75 inches; wing, 6.00.

HAB. The entire continent of North America to Panama, including West Indies. Localities: Honduras (MOORE, P. Z. S. 1859, 53; SCL. Ibis, II, 116); Sta. Cruz, winter (NEWTON, Ibis, I, 67); Belize (SCL. Ibis, I, 131); York Factory, H. B. T. (MURRAY, Edinb. Phil. J. Jan. 1860); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 101; GUNDL. Rep. I, 1866, 292); Bahamas (BRYANT, Bost. Soc. VII, 1859); Jamaica (GOSSE, Birds Jam. 81); Orizaba (SCL. P. Z. S. 1860, 253); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 318 n.); Costa Rica (CAB. J. 1862, 162; LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 118); Tobago (JARD. Ann. Mag. 19, 80); Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471); Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 59); Sta. Bartholemy (SUND. Ofv. 1869, 585).

This species varies considerably in size with locality, as do so many others. Western specimens are appreciably larger, especially those from the northwest coast. According to Nuttall and Audubon, it is the female that has the transverse band of chestnut across the belly. In this they may be correct; but several specimens in the Smithsonian collection marked female (perhaps erroneously) show no indication of the chestnut.[101]

Two closely allied but much larger species belong to Middle and South America. They differ in having the whole body beneath of a reddish color.

HABITS. The common Belted Kingfisher of North America is a widely distributed species at all times, and in the summer is found in every portion of North America, to the Arctic Ocean on the north, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is more or less resident throughout the year, and in mild and open winters a few have been known to linger throughout New England, and even in higher latitudes. In 1857 Captain Blakiston found it remaining on the lower part of the Saskatchewan River until the 7th of October; and afterwards, in 1859, at Pembina, on the 1st of May, he observed them to be present, although the river was not yet open. Those that have migrated to the south make their reappearance in spring throughout the continent as soon as, and not unfrequently before, the ice has disappeared from the rivers and ponds.

It occurs in extreme northern latitudes. Mr. MacFarlane received skins from the Eskimos obtained on the Arctic coast, and Mr. Dall found them breeding at Fort Yukon, where it was quite common on all the small streams flowing into that river. It was also found by Dr. Richardson frequenting all the large streams of the fur countries, as far at least as the 67th parallel. In California a larger race than our Atlantic species is found abundantly along the coast, and about nearly every stream or lake in which the water is not turbid and muddy.

Mr. A. Newton reports this bird as a winter visitant at St. Croix, leaving the island late in April. It frequents mangrove swamps and the mouths of small streams, sometimes fishing half a mile out at sea. The stomach of one contained shells of crabs. The occurrence of two specimens of this species in Ireland is recorded by Mr. Thompson.

The Kingfisher is an eminently unsocial species. It is never found other than in solitary pairs, and these are very rarely seen together. They feed almost entirely upon fish, which they capture by plunging into the water, and which they always swallow whole on emerging from their bath. Undigested portions of their food, such as scales, bones, etc., they have the power of occasionally ejecting from their stomachs. They may usually be noticed by the side of streams, mill-ponds, and lakes, stationed on some convenient position that enables them to overlook a deep place suitable for their purpose, and they rarely make a plunge without accomplishing their object.

The cry of the Kingfisher, uttered when he is disturbed, or when moving from place to place, and occasionally just as he is about to make a plunge, is loud and harsh, and resembles the noise made by a watchman’s rattle. This noise he makes repeatedly at all hours, and most especially at night, during the breeding-season, whenever he returns to the nest with food for his mate or young.

They nest in deep holes excavated by themselves in the sides of streams, ponds, or cliffs, not always in the immediate vicinity of water. These excavations are often near their accustomed fishing-grounds, in some neighboring bank, usually not many feet from the ground, always in dry gravel, and sufficiently high to be in no danger of inundation. They make their burrow with great industry and rapidity, relieving one another from time to time, and working incessantly until the result is satisfactorily accomplished. When digging through a soft fine sand-bank their progress is surprising, sometimes making a deep excavation in a single night. The pages of “The American Naturalist” contain several animated controversies as to the depth, the shape, and the equipments of these passages. The result of the evidence thus given seems to be that the holes the Kingfishers make are not less than four nor more than fifteen feet in length; that some are perfectly straight, while some, just before their termination, turn to the right, and others to the left; and that all have, at or near the terminus, an enlarged space in which the eggs are deposited. Here the eggs are usually laid on the bare sand, there being very rarely, if ever, any attempt to construct a nest. The use of hay, dry grass, and feathers, spoken of by the older writers, does not appear to be confirmed by more recent testimony. Yet it is quite possible that in certain situations the use of dry materials may be resorted to to protect the eggs from a too damp soil.

The place chosen for the excavation is not always near water. In the spring of 1855 I found the nest of a Kingfisher in a bank by the side of the carriage path on Mount Washington, more than a mile from any water. It was a shallow excavation, made that season, and contained fresh eggs the latter part of May. The food of the pair was taken near the dam of a sawmill on Peabody River. In another instance a pair of Kingfishers made their abode in a sand-bank in the midst of the village of Hingham, within two rods of the main street, and within a few feet of a dwelling, and not in the near vicinity of water. Here the confidence they displayed was not misplaced. They were protected, and their singular habits carefully and curiously watched. During the day they were cautious, reticent, and rarely seen, but during the night they seemed to be passing back and forth continually, the return of each parent being announced by a loud rattling cry. Later in the season, when the young required constant attention, these nocturnal noises seemed nearly incessant, and became almost a nuisance to the family.

The Kingfisher, having once selected a situation for its nest, is very tenacious of it, and rarely forsakes it unless compelled to by too great annoyances. They will submit to be robbed time after time, and still return to the same spot and renew their attempts. They are devoted to their young, exhibit great solicitude if their safety is threatened, and will suffer themselves to be taken from their nest rather than leave it, and immediately return to it again.

Mr. Dall observed a male bird of this species digging other holes in the bank near his nest, apparently for amusement or occupation. They were never more than two feet in length and about eight inches in diameter. He seemed to abandon them as soon as made, though seen to retire into one to eat a fish he had captured.

The eggs are usually six, rarely seven, in number, and are of a beautifully clear crystal whiteness. They are very nearly spherical in shape, and measure 1.31 by 1.06 inches.

[101] This confounding of the two sexes has probably
resulted from guess-work of the collector, who, noticing the
marked difference between the male and female, and naturally
supposing the former to be the more brightly colored, marked
the rufous-breasted specimens accordingly; while the few
marked correctly may have been thus labelled after careful
dissection.

Ceryle americana, var. cabanisi, TSCHUDI.

TEXAS KINGFISHER; GREEN KINGFISHER.

_Alcedo americana_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 451 (in part).
_Ceryle americana_, LAWRENCE, Annals N. Y. Lyceum, V, 1851, 118
(first introduction into the fauna of United States).—CASSIN,
Illustrations, I, 1855, 255.—BREWER, N. Am. Oology, I, 1857,
3, pl. iv, f. 53 (egg).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 159, pl.
xlv.—IB. Mex. B. II; Birds 7, pl. vii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1,
1870, 339. _Alcedo viridis_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XIX, 1818,
413 (CASSIN). _Ceryle cabanisi_, REICHENB. Handb. sp. Orn. I,
27.—CABAN. Mus. Hein. II, 147. _Alcedo cabanisi_, TSCHUDI.

SP. CHAR. Head slightly crested. Upper parts, together with a pectoral and abdominal band of blotches, glossy green, as also a line on each side the throat. Under parts generally, a collar on the back of the neck, and a double series of spots on the quills, white. _Female_ with a broad band of chestnut across the breast. _Young_ of both sexes similar to the adult, but white beneath tinged with buff, and marking on breast more obsolete. Length about 8.00; wing, 3.14.

HAB. Rio Grande region of Texas and southward. Localities: Honduras (SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 358); Bogota (SCL. P. Z. S. 1853, 130); Cordova (SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 286); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 131); Honduras (Ibis, II, 117); S. E. Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 472, breeds); Colorado River (COUES P. A. N. S. 1866, 59); Costa Rica (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 118).

This species is much smaller than the Northern or Belted Kingfisher, and is easily distinguishable by the diagnostic marks already given. The sexes appear to differ, like those of _C. alcyon_, namely, the female being distinguished by a rufous pectoral band, which is wanting in the male.

Tschudi and Cabanis separate the northern from the more southern bird under the name of _C. cabanisi_; Tschudi retaining the name of _C. americana_ for specimens resident in eastern South America. The differences are said to consist in the larger size, longer bill, greater extension of the white of the throat, and the decided spotting on the wing-coverts and quills of _cabanisi_. Though these differences are readily appreciable, they correspond so entirely with natural laws, distinguishing northern and southern individuals of most resident species, that it is only fair to consider them as merely modifications of a single species.

Several other species of _Chloroceryle_ proper are found in Tropical America.

HABITS. So far as is certainly known, this species is only found within our fauna as a bird of Texas, where it is occasional, rather than common, and confined to its western limits. From information received, I am confident that it will yet become known as at least of rare occurrence in Southern Florida, and possibly along the whole gulf coast. It was first noticed as a bird of the United States by Captain McCown, and added to our list by Mr. Lawrence, in 1851. It has since then been occasionally taken near the Rio Grande and in all the northeastern portions of Mexico. It is said to be found nearly throughout Mexico, and to be abundant also in Central America.

Mr. Dresser noticed several of these birds at Matamoras, in August, and afterwards found them common on the Nueces and the Leona Rivers, in which places they were breeding. In December he saw others near Eagle Pass. They were nowhere so abundant as the common belted species.

Dr. Coues states that they have been observed on several points on the Colorado River between Fort Mohave and Fort Yuma,—the only instances of their occurrence in the United States other than on the Rio Grande. We have but little information in regard to their habits, but there is no reason to suppose that they differ in this respect.

Mr. Salvin states that this species occurs abundantly everywhere upon the small streams in the Atlantic coast region, and in the interior of Central America. It was frequently observed near Dueñas, both on the Guacalate and on the outlet of Lake Dueñas. And Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his Notes on the birds from the province of Santo Paulo, in Brazil, states that he found this species several times in the vicinity of shallow pools, most especially those of which the banks were well wooded. Several times he saw them perched on logs projecting a few feet out of the water. Dr. Burmeister speaks of this bird (var. _americana_) as the most common species of Kingfisher in Brazil. It is there met with everywhere near the small brooks, on the overhanging branches, and plunging into the water after its prey, which consists especially of small fish. It is less shy than other species, coming quite near to the settlements and being easily shot. Its nest is found in holes in the banks.

Mr. E. C. Taylor also mentions finding this species pretty common in the island of Trinidad, especially among the mangroves in the swamps and lagoons.

Eggs marked as those of Kingfishers were found in the collection of the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, and are presumed to belong to this species, though no notes in relation to their parentage, and none referring to this bird, were found among his papers. Except in size, they closely resembled eggs of the _C. alcyon_, being of a pure bright crystal-white color, and measuring 1.06 inches in length by .61 in breadth.

FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ.—THE GOATSUCKERS.

CHAR. Bill very short; the gape enormously long and wide, opening to beneath or behind the eyes. Culmen variable. Toes connected by a movable skin; secondaries lengthened; plumage soft, sometimes very full and loose, as in the Owls.

The preceding diagnosis in connection with that of the order will suffice to separate the _Caprimulgidæ_ from their allies. Their closest relatives are the _Cypselidæ_, next to which perhaps may be reckoned the _Trochilidæ_.

In defining the subdivisions of this family, we make use of an excellent monograph of the American species by Dr. Sclater, in Proceedings of the Zoölogical Society, London, 1866, 123. He establishes three subfamilies as follows:—

I. Podarginæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated; outer toe
with five phalanges. Sternum with two pairs of posterior
fissures.

Outer pair of posterior sternal fissures much deeper
than inner pair; tarsus long and naked. Eggs
colorless. _Podargus_, _Batrachostomus_, _Ægotheles_,
Old World.

Outer pair of posterior fissures much deeper than
inner pair; tarsus extremely short and feathered.
_Nyctibius_, New World.

II. Steatornithinæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated;
outer toe with five phalanges. Sternum with one pair of
shallow posterior fissures. Eggs colorless. _Steatornis_,
New World.

III. Caprimulginæ. Claw of middle toe pectinated; outer
toe with four phalanges only. Sternum with one pair of
shallow posterior fissures. Eggs colored (colorless in
_Antrostomus nuttalli_, Baird).

_a._ _Glabrirostres._ Rictus smooth. _Podager_,
_Lurocalis_, _Chordeiles_, New World. _Lyncornis_,
_Eurystopodus_, Old World.

_b._ _Setirostres._ Rictus armed with strong bristles.
_Caprimulgus_, _Scotornis_, _Macrodipteryx_, Old World;
_Antrostomus_, _Stenopsis_, _Hydropsalis_,
_Heleothreptus_, _Nyctidromus_, _Siphonorhis_, New World.

Dr. Sclater is of the opinion that _Podargus_ may ultimately have to be placed in a different family from the _Caprimulgidæ_, with or without the other genera placed under _Podarginæ_; of these _Nyctibius_, the sole New World genus has species in Middle (including Jamaica) and South America. _Steatornis caripensis_, the single representative of the second subfamily, is found in Trinidad, Venezuela, and Colombia. It lives in caverns and deep chasms of the rocks, becoming excessively fat (whence the scientific name), and is said to feed on fruits. The bill is large and powerful, more like that of a Hawk than a Goatsucker.

SUBFAMILY CAPRIMULGINÆ.

CHAR. Outer toes with four digits only; claw of middle toe pectinated. Sternum with one pair only of sternal fissures or notches. Toes scutellate above. Hind toe directed a little more than half forward, nostrils separated; rather nearer the commissure than the culmen.

The _Caprimulginæ_ have been divided by Dr. Sclater as follows:—

A. Glabrirostres. Rictus smooth.

I. Tarsus stout, longer than middle toe, entirely naked _Podager_.

II. Tarsus moderate, shorter than middle toe, more or less
clothed with feathers.

_a._ Tail short, almost square _Lurocalis_.

_b._ Tail elongated, a little forked _Chordeiles_.

B. Setirostres. Rictus bristled.

III. Aerial. Tarsi short, more or less clothed.

_a._ Wings normal, second and third quills longest.

1. Tail moderate, rounded at tip _Antrostomus_.

2. Tail elongated, even at tip _Stenopsis_.

3. Tail very long, forked or bifurcate _Hydropsalis_.

_b._ Wings abnormal in male; outer six quills nearly
equal _Heleothreptus_.

IV. Terrestrial. Tarsi elongated, naked.

_a._ Bill moderately broad; nasal aperture scarcely
prominent _Nyctidromus_.

_b._ Bill very broad; nasal aperture much projecting
(Jamaica) _Siphonorhis_.

[Line drawing: _Chordeiles popetue._
1605 ♂]

Of the genera enumerated above, only two certainly belong to the fauna of the United States (_Chordeiles_ and _Antrostomus_), although there is some reason to suppose that _Nyctidromus_ should be included, as among the manuscript drawings of Dr. Berlandier, of birds collected at Matamoras on the Lower Rio Grande, is one that can be readily referred to no other than _N. albicollis_. The briefest diagnoses of these three genera will be as follows:—

Chordeiles. Gape without bristles; tarsi moderate, partly feathered; tail narrow, slightly forked; plumage rather compact. Antrostomus. Gape with bristles; tarsi moderate, partly feathered; tail broad, considerably rounded; plumage soft.

Nyctidromus. Gape with bristles; tarsi lengthened, bare; tail broad, rounded; plumage soft.

[102] _Nyctidromus albicollis. Caprimulgus albicollis_ and
_guianensis_, GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 1030. _Nyctidromus
americanus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1851, 179. _Nyctidromus
guianensis_, _derbyanus_, _grallarius_,—_affinis_ of
authors. _Nyctidromus albicollis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1866,
145. _Hab._ From Northern Mexico southward to Ecuador and
Brazil.

GENUS CHORDEILES, SWAINSON.

_Chordeiles_, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor. Amer. II, 1831, 496. (Type,
_Caprimulgus virginianus_.)

GEN. CHAR. Bill small, the nostrils depressed; the gape with feeble, inconspicuous bristles. Wings long, narrow, and pointed; the first quill nearly or quite equal to the second. Tail rather narrow, slightly forked; plumage quite compact. Habits diurnal or crepuscular.

Many species of this genus belong to America, although but two that are well characterized enter into the fauna of the United States. These are easily distinguished as follows:—

Species and Varieties.

C. popetue. White patch on primaries extending over the
five outer quills, anterior to their middle portion. No
rufous spots on quills, anterior to the white patch.

_a._ Dark mottling predominating on upper parts; lower
tail-coverts distinctly banded.

Wing, 8.00; tail, 4.40. _Hab._ Eastern Province of
United States and Northwest coast var. _popetue_.

Wing, 6.90; tail, 4.00. More rufous mottling on
scapulars and jugulum, and a decided ochraceous tinge
below. _Hab._ West Indies var. _minor_.[103]

_b._ Light mottling predominating on upper parts; lower
tail-coverts only very indistinctly and sparsely banded.

Size of var. _popetue_. _Hab._ Middle Province of
United States var. _henryi_.

C. acutipennis. White patch on primaries extending over
only four outer quills, and beyond their middle portion;
distinct rufous spots on quills, anterior to the white
patch.

Wing, 6.20 to 6.50; tail, 3.90 to 4.10. _Hab._ South
America var. _acutipennis_.[104]

Wing, 7.00 to 7.30; tail, 4.40 to 4.75; Colors not
appreciably different. _Hab._ Middle America, north
into southern border of United States var. _texensis_.

[103] _Chordeiles popetue_, var. _minor_, CABANIS.
_Chordeiles minor_, CAB. Journ. f. Orn. 1856, p.
5.—SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 1862, 279. _Ch. gundlachi_, LAWR.
Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, 165.

[104] _Chordeiles acutipennis_, (BODD.) CASS. _Caprimulgus
acutipennis_, BODDÆRT, Tab. Pl. Enl. p. 46 (1783).
_Chordeiles a._ CASSIN, P. A. N. S. 1851 (Catalogue of
_Caprimulgidæ_, in Mus. Philad. Acad.). _Caprimulgus
acutus_, GMEL. _C. pruinosus_, TSCHUDI. _C. exilis_, LESSON.
_Chordeiles labeculatus_, JARDINE. “_Caprimulgus
semitorquatus_, L., GM., PR. MAX.” TSCHUDI. _Chordeiles
peruvianus_, PEALE. _Hab._ South America.

Chordeiles popetue, var. popetue, BAIRD.

NIGHT-HAWK; BULL-BAT.

_Caprimulgus popetue_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 56, pl.
xxiv ♀. _Chordeiles popetue_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858,
151.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 113 (Br. Col.
nesting).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 166.—SAMUELS, 122. _Caprimulgus
americanus_, WILSON, V, 1812, 65, pl. cxl. f. 1, 2. _Chordeiles
americanus_, DEKAY, N. Y. Zoöl. II, 1844, 34, pl. xxvii.
_Caprimulgus virginianus_, BRISSON, II, 1760, 477 (in part
only).—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 273, pl. cxlvii.—MAX. Cab.
J. VI, 1858.—WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 373 (nesting).
_Caprimulgus (Chordeiles) virginianus_, SW. F. Bor.-Am. II.
1831, 62. _Chordeiles virginianus_, BON. List, 1838.—AUD.
Birds Am. I, 1840, 159, pl. xliii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and
Oregon Route, 79; Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, 1857. _Long-winged
Goatsucker_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 1785, 337.

SP. CHAR. Male, above greenish-black, but with little mottling on the head and back. Wing-coverts varied with grayish; scapulars with yellowish-rufous. A nuchal band of fine gray mottling, behind which is another coarser one of rufous spots. A white V-shaped mark on the throat; behind this a collar of pale rufous blotches, and another on the breast of grayish mottling. Under parts banded transversely with dull yellowish or reddish-white and brown. Wing-quills quite uniformly brown. The five outer primaries with a white blotch (about half an inch long) midway between the tip and carpal joint, not extending on the outer web of the outer quill. Tail with a terminal white patch, which does not reach the outer edge of the feathers. _Female_ without the caudal white patch, the white tail-bands more mottled, the white of the throat mixed with reddish. Length of male, 9.50; wing, 8.20.

HAB. United States and north to Hudson Bay; in winter visits Greater Antilles, and southward to Central America (Rio Janeiro, PELZELN); said to breed in Jamaica. In Rocky Mountains, replaced by the variety _henryi_. Localities: Trout Lake, H. B. T. (MURRAY, Edinb. Phil. Journ. 1860); Bahamas (BRYANT, Bost. Soc. VII, 1859); Guatemala. (SCL. Ibis, II, 275); Cuba (LAWR.); Jamaica (MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, 285, breeds); Matamoras (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471, breeds); Rio Janeiro, January (PELZ., Orn. Bras. I, 14); Veragua (SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1870, 203).

HABITS. The common Night-Hawk of North America is a very common species throughout a widely extended area, and within the United States breeds wherever found. Its range extends from Florida and Texas to the extreme northern latitudes, and from the Atlantic at least to the great Central Plains. It has been found as far to the south as Panama.

At Matamoras Mr. Dresser found this species abundant during the summer season, and towards dusk thousands of these birds and of _C. texensis_ and _C. henryi_ might be seen flying in towards the river from the prairies, this one being the least common of the three. In Northern Florida it is also a common species, and I have rarely received any collection of eggs from that State without the eggs of this bird being found among them. They are known there as Bull-bats.

In many of its habits, as well as in its well-marked generic distinctions, this species exhibits so many and such well-marked differences from the Whippoorwill that there seem to be no good reasons for confounding two birds so very unlike. It is especially much less nocturnal, and has, strictly speaking, no claim to its common name, as indicating it to be a bird of the night, which it is not. It is crepuscular, rather than nocturnal, and even this habit is more due to the flight of the insects upon which it feeds at morning and at evening than to any organization of the bird rendering it necessary. It may not unfrequently be seen on the wing, even in bright sunny weather, at midday, in pursuit of its winged prey. This is especially noticeable with such birds as are wont to frequent our large cities, which may be seen throughout all hours of the day sailing high in the air. Generally, however, it is most lively early in the morning and just before nightfall, when its supply of insect food is most abundant. But it is never to be found on the wing after dark. As soon as the twilight deepens into the shades of night all retire to rest as regularly, if not at quite as early an hour, as other birds in regard to the diurnal habits of which there is no question.

This species appears to be equally abundant throughout the fur countries, where, Dr. Richardson states, few birds are better known. In the higher latitudes to which these birds resort the sun does not set during their stay, and all their pursuit of insects must be made by sunlight.

In the winter this species leaves the United States, retiring to Mexico, Central America, and the northern portions of South America. Specimens from Mexico were in the Rivoli collection. They were taken by Barruel in Nicaragua, by Salvin in Guatemala, in Jamaica by Gosse, and in Cuba by both Lembeye and Gundlach.

The movements, evolutions, and general habits of this species, in the pursuit of their prey, bear little resemblance to those of the _Antrostomi_, but are much more like those of the _Falconidæ_. They fly high in the air, often so high as to be hardly visible, and traverse the air, moving backward and forward in the manner of a Hawk. At times they remain perfectly stationary for several moments, and then suddenly and rapidly dart off, their wings causing a very peculiar vibratory sound. As they fly they utter a very loud and shrill cry which it is almost impossible to describe, but often appearing to come from close at hand when the bird is high in the air. Richardson compares this sound to the vibration of a tense cord in a violent gust of wind.

In some of the peculiarities of its breeding the Mosquito-Hawk displays several very marked variations of habit from the Whippoorwill. While the latter always deposits its eggs under the cover of shady trees and in thick woods, these birds select an open rock, a barren heath, or an exposed hillside for their breeding-place. This is not unfrequently in wild spots in the vicinity of a wood, but is always open to the sun. I have even known the eggs carelessly dropped on the bare ground in a corner of a potato-field, and have found the female sitting on her eggs in all the bright glare of a noonday sun in June, and to all appearance undisturbed by its brilliance. A more common situation for the eggs is a slight hollow of a bare rock, the dark weather-beaten shades of which, with its brown and slate-colored mosses and lichens, resembling both the parent and the egg in their coloring, are well adapted to screen them from observation or detection.

The great abundance of insect life of certain kinds in the vicinity of our large cities has of late years attracted these birds. Each summer their number in Boston has perceptibly increased, and through June and July, at almost all hours of the day, most especially in the afternoon, they may be seen or heard sailing high in the air over its crowded streets. The modern style of house-building, with flat Mansard roofs, has also added to the inducements, affording safe and convenient shelter to the birds at night, and serving also for the deposition of their eggs. In quite a number of instances in the summers of 1870 and 1871 they were known to lay their eggs and to rear their young on the flat roofs of houses in the southern and western sections of the city. I have also been informed by the late Mr. Turnbull, of Philadelphia, that the flat roofs of large warehouses near the river in that city are made similar use of.

If approached when sitting on her eggs, the female will suffer herself to be almost trodden on before she will leave them, and when she does it is only to tumble at the feet of the intruder and endeavor to draw him away from her treasures by well-feigned lameness and pretended disability. Her imitation of a wounded bird is so perfect as to deceive almost any one not aware of her cunning devices.

The eggs of this bird are always two in number, elliptical in shape, and equally obtuse at either end. They exhibit marked variations in size, in ground-color, and in the shades and number of their markings. In certain characteristics and in their general effect they are alike, and all resemble oblong-oval dark-colored pebble-stones. Their safety in the exposed positions in which they are laid is increased by this resemblance to the stones among which they lie. They vary in length from 1.30 to 1.13 inches, and in breadth from .84 to .94 of an inch. Their ground is of various shades of stone-color, in some of a dirty white, in others with a tinge of yellow or blue, and in yet others a clay-color. The markings are more or less diffused over the entire egg, and differ more or less with each specimen, the prevailing colors being varying shades of slate and of yellowish-brown. With all these variations the eggs are readily recognizable, and bear no resemblance to any others except those of _texensis_ and _henryi_. From the former they are easily distinguished by the greater size, but from the latter they can only be separated by considerations of locality.

Chordeiles popetue, var. henryi, CASSIN.

WESTERN NIGHT-HAWK.

_Chordeiles henryi_, CASSIN, Illust. Birds of Cal. & Tex. I, 1855,
233.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 153, pl. xvii.—SCLATER, P. Z.
S. 1866, 133.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 343.

SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _popetue_, but the male considerably lighter, with a greater predominance of the light mottlings, producing a more grayish aspect; the female more rufous. Wing-patch of the male larger (at least an inch long), and, like the tail-patch, crossing the whole breadth of the feather.

HAB. Western Province of North America, except Pacific Coast region. Matamoras to San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471); Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 58).

In examining a large series of Night-Hawks, we find the differences indicated above, in specimens from the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains, and the adjacent regions, to be quite decided and constant. Skins, however, from Washington, Oregon, and California, seem darker even than the typical eastern. There is no prominent difference beyond the lighter colors of male, and greater distinctness, extent, and purity of the white or light markings, and in the white patches of wing and tail, crossing the outer webs of all the feathers; the general proportions and pattern of coloration being quite the same. It will therefore seem proper to consider _C. henryi_ as a local race, characteristic of the region in which it occurs, and as such noteworthy, but not entitled to independent rank.

Another race, _C. minor_, Cab., similar to var. _popetue_, but considerably smaller (7.50, wing, 7.00), is resident in Cuba and Jamaica. _C. popetue_ is also said to breed in the latter island, but _minor_ is probably referred to.

HABITS. This form, whether we regard it as a good species, or only a western race of the common Night-Hawk, was first described as a new variety by Mr. Cassin, in 1855, from specimens procured at Fort Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, in honor of whom it was named. Its claim to be considered a distinct race or species rests chiefly upon its constantly different colorations.

Dr. Cooper, who regarded this form not specifically distinct from the Night-Hawk, states that it is not found near the coast border of California.

Dr. Kennerly encountered it in abundance in the vicinity of Los Nogales, in Sonora, in June. Late in the afternoon they came in great numbers around the camp. They kept circling round and round, and approached the earth nearer and nearer with the declining sun.

Mr. Dresser found them very abundant at Matamoras, and as far east as the Sal Colorado, beyond which he did not meet with any. About dusk, thousands of these birds might be seen flying in towards the river from the prairies. At San Antonio, where Mr. Dresser found both _C. popetue_ and _C. texensis_, he never procured a single specimen of this bird, nor did Dr. Heermann ever meet with one there.

Dr. Coues says these birds are abundant throughout the Territory of Arizona. At Fort Whipple it is a summer resident, arriving in April and remaining until October, being particularly numerous in August and September. Mr. Drexler made a large collection of these birds at Fort Bridger, in Utah, all of which showed such constant differences from eastern specimens as to indicate in his opinion the propriety of a specific separation.

An egg of this bird taken at Fort Crook, California, by Lieutenant Fulner, measures 1.25 inches in length by .92 of an inch in breadth. While resembling in general effect an egg of _C. popetue_, it is lighter in colorings, and varies from any of that bird I have ever seen. Its ground-color is that of clay, over which are diffused curious aggregations of small spots and cloudings of yellowish-brown, mingled with lilac. These markings are quite small and separate, but are grouped in such close proximity into several collections as to give them the appearance of large blotches; and the blending of these two shades is so general as to produce the effect of a color quite different from either, except upon a close inspection, or an examination through a magnifying glass.

This variety was met with at the Forks of the Saskatchewan, in June, 1858, by Captain Blakiston, and specimens were obtained on the Saskatchewan Plains, by M. Bourgeau, in the summer of the same year. The latter also procured its eggs. These are said to have been three in number, described as light olive, blotched with black more thickly at one end than the other. No mention of shape is made. This description, incomplete as it is, indicates a great dissimilarity with eggs of this bird, fully identified in the Smithsonian collection.

The western variety was met with by Mr. Ridgway throughout the entire extent of his route across the Great Basin. It bred everywhere, laying its eggs on the bare ground, beneath a sage-bush, usually on the foot-hills of the mountains, or on the mesas. In August and September they congregate in immense flocks, appearing in the evening. Not the slightest difference in habits, manners, or notes, was observed between this and the eastern Night-Hawk.

Chordeiles acutipennis, var. texensis, LAWRENCE.

TEXAS NIGHT-HAWK.

_Chordeiles brasilianus_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum, V, May, 1851,
114 (not of GMELIN).—CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 238. _Chordeiles
sapiti_, BON. Conspectus Avium, I, 1849, 63. _Chordeiles
texensis_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, Dec. 1856,
167.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 154, pl. xliv.—IB. M. B. II,
Birds, 7, pl. vi.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 345. _Caprimulgus
texensis_, WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 376 (nesting).

SP. CHAR. Much smaller than _C. virginianus_, but somewhat similar. White on the wing extending over only four outer primaries, the bases of which, as well as the remaining ones, with other quills, have round rufous spots on both webs. Under tail-coverts and abdomen with a strong yellowish-rufous tinge. Female more rufous and without the white spot of the tail. Length, 8.75; wing, 7.00.

HAB. Basins of Rio Grande, Gila, and Colorado Rivers, and west to Gulf of California; South as far, at least, as Costa Rica. Localities: Matamoras to San Antonio (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471, breeds); W. Arizona (COUES; P. A. N. S. 1866, 58); Costa Rica (LAWR. An. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 120); Yucatan (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 204).

The markings of this species are quite different from those of _Chordeiles popetue_. In average specimens the prevailing color above may be described as a mixed gray, yellowish-rusty, black, and brown, in varied but very fine mottlings. The top of the head is rather uniformly brown, with a few mottlings of grayish-rusty, although the concealed portion of the feathers is much varied. On the nape is a finely mottled collar of grayish and black, not very conspicuously defined, and rather interrupted on the median line. A similar collar is seen on the forepart of the breast. The middle of the back and the rump exhibit a coarser mottling of the same without any rufous. The scapulars and wing-coverts are beautifully variegated, much as in some of the Waders, the pattern very irregular and scarcely capable of definition. There are, however, a good many large round spots of pale yellowish-rusty, very conspicuous among the other markings. There is quite a large blotch of white on the wing, situated considerably nearer the tip than the carpal joint. It only involves four primaries, and extends across both outer and inner webs. The four first primaries anterior to the white blotches, and the remaining ones nearly from their tips, exhibit a series of large round rufous spots not seen in the other North American species. The other wing-quills have also similar markings. There is a large V-shaped white mark on the throat, as in _C. virginianus_, though rather larger proportionally. Posterior to this there are some rather conspicuous blotches of rufous, behind which is the obscure finely mottled collar of gray and brown already referred to. The breast and remaining under parts are dull white transversely banded with brown, with a strong tinge of yellowish-rufous on the abdomen, about the vent, and on the under tail-coverts. The tail is dark brown with about eight transverse bars of lighter; the last are white, and extend across both vanes; the others less continuous, and yellowish-rufous beneath as well as above, especially on the inner vane.

The females are quite similar, but lack the white patch of the tail, have more numerous rufous spots on quills, and are perhaps more fulvous in general appearance. Young birds, however, would hardly be recognized as the same, except when taken with adults, owing to the predominance of a pale cinnamon shade above, and a decided tinge of the same on all the white and gray markings. Nearly all the primaries have a border of this color.

The variety _acutipennis_ of South America (see synopsis) is very similar, differing merely in smaller dimensions.

HABITS. The Texan Night-Hawk occurs in the valley of the Rio Grande from Texas on the east, through New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, and Cape San Lucas. It is found in the northern provinces of Mexico during the summer months, and thence southward to Central America. It was found at Dueñas, in Guatemala, by Mr. Salvin, and also at Coban. Mr. Xantus found it breeding at Cape San Lucas in May.

This species was first added to our fauna by Mr. Lawrence, in 1851, as a bird of Texas, supposed to be _C. brasilianus_, and in 1856 described by the same writer as a new species.

According to Dr. Cooper, it makes its first appearance at Fort Mohave by the 17th of April, and soon after becomes quite numerous, hunting in companies after sunset, and hiding during the day on the ground under low bushes. By the 25th of May they had all paired, but continued nearly silent, making only a low croaking when approached. They flew in the manner of the common species, but seemed to sail in rather smaller circles. Dr. Cooper found them as far west as the Coast Mountains.

Dr. Coues states that this species is common in the Colorado Valley, even farther north than the latitude of Fort Whipple. It was not, however, met with by him at that port, nor indeed for some fifty miles to the south of it, and then only in the summer. He adds that it extends from the Rio Grande Valley westward to the Pacific. It was found abundant at Cape St. Lucas by Dr. Xantus.

Mr. Dresser found it very common at Matamoras during the summer season, and thence to San Antonio and to the eastward of that place. At San Antonio, in the spring, he first noticed them on the 2d of May, when he saw seven or eight flying about at noonday. A few days later they had become very numerous. They remained about San Antonio until the end of September, and soon after disappeared. He noticed none later than the first week in October.

Mr. J. H. Clark met with this species at Ringgold Barracks, Texas, in June. They were to be seen sitting about in the heat of the day, at which time they could be easily approached. During the hottest days they did not sally forth in quest of food until late in the evening. On one occasion, near El Paso, Mr. Clark saw these birds congregated in such quantities over a mud-hole from which were issuing myriads of insects, that he felt that the discharge among them of mustard-seed shot would involve a wanton destruction. This species is not known, according to his account, to make a swoop in the manner of the common species. It does not utter the same hoarse sounds, nor does it ever fly so high.

Among the notes of the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, we find references to this species, to which he gives the common name of _Pauraque_, and in his collection of eggs are many that unquestionably are those of this bird, and which are, in all respects but size, in close affinity to the eggs of the common Night-Hawk. These eggs measure 1.18 inches in length by .87 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color, seen through a magnifying glass, is of clear crystal whiteness, but is so closely covered by overlaying markings as not to be discernible to the eye. They are marked over the entire surface with small irregular confluent spots and blotches, which are a blending of black, umber, and purplish-gray markings. These combinations give to the egg the appearance of a piece of polished marble of a dark gray color. They are both smaller and of a lighter color than those of the common eastern bird.

GENUS ANTROSTOMUS, GOULD.

_Antrostomus_, GOULD, ICONES AVIUM, 1838. (Type, _Caprimulgus
carolinensis_, GM.)

GEN. CHAR. Bill very small, with tubular nostrils, and the gape with long, stiff, sometimes pectinated bristles projecting beyond the end of the bill. Tarsi moderate, partly feathered above. Tail broad, rounded; wings broad and rounded; first quill shorter than third; plumage soft and lax. Habit nocturnal.

In what the genus _Antrostomus_ really differs from _Caprimulgus_ proper, we are quite unable to say, as in the many variations of form of both New and Old World species of these two divisions respectively, it is said to be not difficult to find species in each, almost identical in form. In the want of suitable material for comparison, we shall follow Sclater in using _Antrostomus_ for the New World species.

Species and Varieties.[105]

A. Bristles of gape with lateral filaments. Light
tail-spaces confined to inner web of feathers.

_Dark markings on crown longitudinal. Ochraceous or
white gular collar in form of a narrow band across
jugulum._

A. carolinensis. Throat ochraceous, with sparse,
narrow, transverse bars of black; jugular collar more
whitish, with broader but more distant black bars.
Crissum barred, and inner webs of primaries with black
prevailing. Wing, 8.90; tail, 6.30. _Hab._ Louisianian
region of the Eastern Province of United States
(Florida and the Carolinas to Arkansas). Costa Rica.

B. Bristles of gape without lateral filaments; light
tail-spaces covering both webs.

_a._ Throat black, with sparse, narrow, transverse bars
of pale brown. Crissum barred, and inner webs of
primaries with black greatly predominating.

A. macromystax. Crown pale brown and whitish very
coarsely mottled with dusky; lower parts clouded with
whitish, in conspicuous contrast with the ground
color. Light tail patch restricted to less than
terminal third, and decreasing in breadth toward the
middle feathers. Bristles of gape enormously long and
stout; bill compressed, nostrils large.

White patch on end of tail confined to three outer
feathers, and decreasing very rapidly in extent to
the inner. Wing, 6.60; tail, 5.30; rictal bristles,
1.40. _Hab._ Mexico (Mirador, La Parada) var. _macromystax_.[106]

White patch on end of tail, on four outer feathers,
and just appreciably decreasing in extent toward the
inner. Wing, 7.00; tail, 5.50; rictal bristles,
2.00. _Hab._ Cuba var. _cubanensis_.[107]

A. vociferus. Crown ash, finely mottled or minutely
sprinkled with dusky; lower parts without whitish
cloudings. White tail-patch covering more than
terminal half, and decreasing in breadth toward the
outer feather. Bristles of gape moderate, slender;
bill weaker, less compressed, and nostrils smaller.
Wing, 6.40; tail, 5.10; rictal bristles, 1.50 or less.
_Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, south to
Guatemala.

_Dark markings of crown transverse. Gular collar pure
white, covering nearly whole throat._

_b._ Throat pure white, without any markings. Crissum
immaculate; inner webs of primaries with ochraceous very
largely predominating.

A. nuttalli. White space of tail occupying about the
terminal fourth, or less, on three feathers, and
gradually decreasing inwardly. Wing, 5.75; tail, 3.90;
rictal bristles less than 1.00. _Hab._ Western
Province of United States, from the Plains to the
Pacific.

[105] The females differ simply in having the light
tail-space much reduced in size, and dull ochraceous,
instead of whitish; in that of _carolinensis_ it is wanting
altogether.

[106] _Antrostomus macromystax_ (WAGL.?) SCLATER, P. Z. S.
1866, 137 (La Parada, Mex.). _? Caprimulgus macromystax_,
WAGL. Isis, 1831, p. 533.

[107] _Antrostomus macromystax_, var. _cubanensis_ (LAWR.)
_Antrostomus cubanensis_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, May,
1860, p. 260.

Antrostomus carolinensis, GOULD.

CHUCK-WILL’S WIDOW.

_Caprimulgus carolinensis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 1028.—AUD.
Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 273, pl. lii; V, 1839, 401.—IB. Birds Am.
I, 1840, 151, pl. xli.—WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 368
(nesting). _Antrostomus carolinensis_, GOULD, Icones Avium,
1838?—CASSIN, Illust. N. Am. Birds, I, 1855, 236.—BAIRD,
Birds N. Am. 1858, 147.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 300. _Caprimulgus
rufus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 57, pl. xxv (♀).
_Caprimulgus brachypterus_, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Zoöl. X, I, 1825?
150. _Short-winged Goatsucker_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 1785,
434.

[Line drawing: _Antrostomus carolinensis._
6493 ♂]

SP. CHAR. Bristles of the bill with lateral filaments. Wing nearly nine inches long. Top of the head finely mottled reddish-brown, longitudinally streaked with black. The prevailing shade above and below pale rufous. Terminal two-thirds of the tail-feathers (except the four central) rufous white; outer webs of all mottled, however, nearly to the tips. _Female_ without the white patch on the tail. Length, 12.00; wing, 8.50.

HAB. South Atlantic and Gulf States to Veragua; Cuba in winter. Cuba (CABAN. J. IV, 6, winter); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 70, breeds); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 120); Veragua (SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1870, 303).

This, according to Sclater, is the largest of the _Antrostomi_ and the only species with lateral filaments to the bristles of the mouth.

The extent of the white spaces on the inner webs of tail-feathers varies with the individual, but in none does it occupy less than the terminal half.