The WHIP-POOR-WILL (_Antrostomus vociferus_), so called from its peculiar
cry, is about nine inches and one-third long, and seventeen and a half
broad; the wing measures seven and a half, and the tail five inches. The
upper parts of the body are dark brownish grey, spotted with brownish
black; the region of the cheeks is brownish red, the wing-covers and
quills are dark brown, spotted in lines with a paler tint, the latter
tipped with a mixture of both shades; the four centre tail-feathers
resemble the back in colour and markings, whilst those at the exterior
are white, slightly spotted on the upper portion, and dark brown towards
the end. The upper parts of the throat and breast are dark brown, with
blackish-brown markings; the rest of the under side is of a paler hue. A
yellowish white line passes across the front of the throat. North America
is the actual habitat of this species, which is, however, frequently
seen in Central America and the West Indies during the course of its
migrations.
[Illustration: THE WHIP-POOR-WILL (_Antrostomus vociferus_).]
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The AFRICAN NIGHT JARS (_Scotornis_) constitute a group of birds
distinguished from their congeners by their remarkably long graduated
tail, which far exceeds the body in length; the third quill of the wing
is longer than the rest, thereby rendering it less pointed than that of
most Goatsuckers; the beak is very small and delicate, and the bristles
at its base comparatively long; the inner toes are longer than those
on the exterior. The plumage is somewhat difficult to describe; in
_Scotornis climacurus_ the body is principally of a pale reddish brown,
with dark markings; the chin, cheek-stripes, and extremities of the
smaller wing-covers are white, the quills black, spotted with grey on
the lower half; the first six are striped with white in the middle; the
rest are spotted with red and black, and tipped with white. The centre
tail-feathers are marked with undulating lines of different shades;
those at the exterior are white upon the outer web, and the two next in
order terminate in a white spot; the lower side is a mixture of brown
and grey, arranged in wave-like curves. The male is about fifteen inches
long and twenty broad; the wing measures five inches and a half and the
tail full nine and a half. The body of the female is considerably shorter
than that of her mate. All the sparely-covered, sandy plains of Central
Africa afford a home to the members of this group. According to our own
observations they are rarely found beyond sixteen degrees north latitude;
other authorities affirm that they occasionally wander as far as Europe,
and have been met with in Provence, but we are inclined to question the
accuracy of this statement.
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The LYRE-TAILED NIGHT JARS (_Hydropsalis_), a group of very remarkable
birds inhabiting South America, are recognisable by their long powerful
wings, in which the first quill is much bent; their slender, but
comparatively strong beak; their delicate feet, partially covered with
feathers, and protected with horny plates upon its lower half; and their
remarkably forked tail, which in the male bird is occasionally of great
length.