The STREAMER-BEARING NIGHT JAR, or "FOUR WINGS" (_Cosmetornis
vexillarius_), is another remarkable species, closely allied to that
above described, but distinguished by the development, not of one only,
but of two excessively long feathers, that grow from each wing. These
peculiar appendages are furnished with a web upon both sides, extending
throughout their entire length. We are entirely without particulars
as to the life and habits of this extremely rare bird, which inhabits
South-eastern Africa.
* * * * *
All the various groups of Goatsuckers whose outward appearance we
have thus briefly described frequent woodland districts or forests,
in the immediate neighbourhood of large plains and open fields, as
such localities abound with the insects on which they mainly rely for
nourishment. Still there are exceptions. The Red-throated Goatsucker,
for example, is most frequently seen upon rocks slightly overgrown with
trees or shrubs, and though it builds in various situations, prefers
plantations of olive-trees, when about to make its nest, whilst the
Cream-coloured Night Jar (_Caprimulgus isabellinus_), on the contrary,
usually conceals itself amidst the bushes or grass that cover the sandy
banks of the Nile. During the day most species seek a shady retreat, and
either sit upon the ground whilst reposing, or find shelter upon trees,
on the boughs of which they recline, not after the manner of other birds,
but in such a position as to allow the entire body to _lie_ along the
supporting branch, holding themselves, meanwhile, firmly in place by
means of their inner toes, and the serrated claw, with which the central
toe is furnished; it is only when disturbed from their slumbers that the
Goatsuckers perch in the ordinary manner; as soon as the supposed danger
is over, they at once resume their favourite attitude. Whilst asleep
the eyelids are kept completely closed, but if suddenly awakened, these
birds blink, and peer around them, after the fashion of an Owl, and seek
to conceal themselves by lying close to the earth, or to the tree on
which they are reposing. Upon the ground they move with much difficulty;
indeed, it has often been stated that their feet are useless as a means
of progression, but this is not the case, as we have on several occasions
seen the African Goatsuckers walk some little distance when passing from
one resting-place to another. The flight of all these various groups
is unsteady and apparently aimless during the day, but at sunset they
seem endowed with new life, and may be seen alternately skimming and
hovering over the face of the country, in pursuit of moths, beetles, and
various other insects, upon which they subsist. When their appetite is
appeased, they rest for a time upon some branch, and then sally forth
again before morning dawns to procure a second repast. It is not uncommon
for the Goatsuckers to wander to a very considerable distance from their
usual haunts during these nocturnal excursions, and even approach the
immediate vicinity of towns and villages; nay, so inquisitive and bold
are they in regard to the objects they meet with whilst in search of
prey, that they will often follow and hover round a man or a dog for a
quarter of an hour at a time. During the breeding season their flight
becomes still more varied and beautiful, and the birds themselves seem
roused to a higher degree of intelligence than is observable at other
times; such species especially, as possess the remarkably long wings or
tails we have described, cannot fail to impress those who are fortunate
enough to see them gliding or hovering aloft, with their flowing plumage
alternately closed or outspread, as they perform their light and elegant
gyrations through the realms of air. Russegger describes the African
"Four Wings" as looking like some strange being from another world, as
it whirls along, at one moment appearing to multiply itself by rapidly
assuming the most various attitudes, or revolving like a shuttlecock,
with its long feathers streaming and twisting in the wind. The voices
of these various birds differ very considerably; some species uttering
a harsh, droning note, not unlike the sound of a spinning-wheel (whence
is derived their name of "Night Jar," or "Night Churr"), whilst others
are capable of producing by no means inharmonious tones. The European
Goatsucker, when alarmed, purrs very much like a cat, and during the
breeding season attracts the attention of its mate by two distinct notes;
at other times its cry may be represented by the syllables, "Dak, dak,"
faintly and hoarsely uttered. So dismal and unearthly are the voices of
some American Night Jars, that Schomburghk tell us that neither Indians,
Creoles, nor Negroes would venture to shoot one of them, regarding them
as direct embodiments of, or emissaries from, the various evil spirits
and enchanters, of whose machinations and spells the ignorant natives
live in constant dread.
"A Goatsucker," says Waterton, "inhabits Demerara, about the size of an
English Wood Owl, whose voice is so remarkable that when once heard it
is not to be easily forgotten. A stranger would never believe it to be
the cry of a bird, but would say it was the departing voice of a midnight
murdered victim, or the last wailing of poor Niobe for her children,
before she was turned to stone. Suppose a person in hopeless sorrow,
beginning with a loud note, 'Ha, ha; ha, ha; ha, ha, ha;' each note lower
and lower, till the last is scarcely heard, pausing a moment between each
exclamation, and you will have some idea of the moaning of the Great
Goatsucker of Demerara. Other species articulate some words so distinctly
that they have received their names from the sentences they utter, and
absolutely bewilder a stranger on his arrival in their vicinity. One
sits down close to your door, or flies and alights three or four yards
before you as you walk along the road, crying, 'Who are you? who, who are
you?' Another bids you 'Work away; work, work, work away!' A third cries
mournfully, 'Willy, come go; Willy, Willy, Willy, come go!' and a fourth
tells him to 'Whip-poor-Will, Whip-poor-Will!' in tones wonderfully clear
and startling."
As regards their instincts and capabilities, the nocturnal Goatsuckers
are far behind the diurnal members of their family, and exhibit so little
sense of self-preservation, as constantly to expose themselves to great
danger. We have frequently, whilst camping out in Africa, whenever we
have kindled a fire, been visited by numbers of these birds, apparently
quite regardless of the risk they ran of being brought down by our gun.
In Spain, however, the Goatsuckers appear to be somewhat more on the
alert; indeed, owing to their supposed dexterity in evading pursuit,
they are there called by the peasantry _Engaña Pastor_, or "Shepherd
Deceivers," as that class of men come most in contact with these birds,
whilst tending their flocks; not from the absurd reason that has obtained
such universal credence, but because these much-maligned visitants
perform a most invaluable service both to the farmer and his cattle.
"When the moon shines brightly," Waterton continues, "you may have a
fair opportunity of examining the Goatsucker; you will see it close by
the cows, goats, and sheep, jumping up every now and then under their
bellies. Approach a little nearer; he is not shy; 'he fears no danger,
for he knows no sin.' See how the nocturnal flies are tormenting the poor
kine, and with what dexterity he springs up and catches them, as fast as
they alight on the belly, legs, and udders of the poor animals. Observe
how quietly they stand, and how sensible they seem of his good offices;
for they neither strike at him, nor try to drive him away as an uncivil
intruder. Were you to dissect him, and inspect his stomach, you would
find no milk there; it is full of the flies that have been annoying the
herd."
[Illustration: THE OIL BIRD (_Steatornis Caripensis_).]
All Night Jars breed but once in the year, and that always during
the spring-time of their native lands. No nest is built, the parents
contenting themselves with any retired, shady nook, when about to deposit
their eggs. Towards their young, both parents exhibit great attachment
and devotion, and will exert every effort to entice any approaching
stranger from the little family. Many strange tales have been circulated
as to the manner in which their eggs are conveyed from one place to
another, in time of danger, and on this point we may now venture to speak
with authority, having been fortunate enough to be an eye-witness to the
whole proceeding. Upon the occasion to which we refer, a pair of Night
Jars which we purposely disturbed, appeared to be overcome with fear for
the space of a minute, then, suddenly recovering themselves, they each
seized an egg in their capacious beaks, and bore it carefully and gently
away, flying so near the ground as almost to touch it with their feet.
Both parents assist in the labour of incubation, and continue to sit,
even after the nestlings have left the shell, in order to keep them warm:
according to some authorities, this practice is continued until they are
almost fledged. The young are fed during the night, and reared upon a
variety of insect food. When taken from the nest, they thrive and grow
rapidly, if provided with a plentiful supply of flies.
* * * * *
The GIANT GOATSUCKERS (_Nyctibius_) constitute another South American
group, easily recognisable by their strongly-hooked beak, heavy foot,
the central toe of which has no serrated claw, powerful body, and large
head. The wings (in which the third quill exceeds the rest in length) are
long and pointed, the tail long, and slightly rounded, and the plumage
rich, soft, and lax. The beak is very peculiar in its formation, and
appears triangular when seen from above; the upper mandible is extremely
broad at its base, sloping gently downwards as far as the nostrils,
from which point it becomes thin, round, compressed, and curves gently
over the lower mandible, which is also slightly bent at its tip, and
somewhat shorter than the upper portion. The sharp edges of the beak
have a tooth-like appendage, about one line in length, placed just where
it begins to curve. The jaws open almost to the ears, and the gape is
therefore enormous. The horny portion of the bill is almost entirely
concealed from view by a growth of feathers intermixed with bristles,
which covers the upper mandible, from the nostrils almost to the tip. The
legs are short, the toes slender, and the claws comparatively strong and
hooked. The central nail has a prominent ridge.