(RINGED SPINE-TAILED SWIFT.)
+Hemiprocne zonaris+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 95. +Acanthylis
collaris+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 449 (Mendoza).
_Description._--Black, glossed with bronzy; a white collar round the
neck, rather broader in front; tail spiny, slightly forked: whole
length 8·5 inches, wing 7·5, tail 2·8. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Central and South America down to Argentina.
Dr. Burmeister observed specimens of this fine large Spine-tailed Swift
near the Sierra of Mendoza in December and the following month.
Fam. XXII. CAPRIMULGIDÆ, or GOATSUCKERS.
Nearly fifty different species of the singular nocturnal birds commonly
known as "Goatsuckers" are found in the Neotropical Region. They are
most numerous within the tropics, where insect-life is more abundant,
but also occur more sparingly in temperate latitudes. Six of them have
been recorded as having been met with within the limits assigned to this
work.
The Goatsuckers generally take their insect-prey on the wing late in
the evening; but many of them often alight on the ground, and usually
nest there or in hollow trees.