The IBIJAU, or EARTH-EATER (_Nyctibius grandis_), is by far the largest
member of this group. Its length, according to the Prince von Wied,
exceeds twenty-one, and its breadth forty-seven inches; the wing measures
fifteen inches and a half, and the tail ten inches and one-third. A
whitish or greyish yellow predominates in the coloration of the plumage,
which is darkest upon the upper portion of the body, and marked with
a variety of fine brown and black lines; the head-feathers have dark
streaks upon the shafts, and triangular spots at the tip. The edges of
the wings and region of the shoulders are deep reddish brown, streaked
with black, and intermixed with white spots upon the carpal joint; the
under side is white, ornamented with curved brown lines, each feather
being tipped with yellow, the quills are dark greyish brown, striped
with a paler shade, and spotted with white upon the outer web, the
tail-feathers are decorated with six or seven dark and light stripes, the
throat is white, marked with brown, as is the breast, the latter is also
streaked longitudinally with black; the hinder parts of the body are pure
white; the beak and feet are yellowish grey, and the eyes dark blackish
brown.
These large Goatsuckers, though by no means rare in South America, are
not frequently seen, as they remain during the entire day ensconced at
the summit of the most lofty trees, lying full length upon the thickly
foliaged branches in the manner already described. So closely does their
plumage resemble the bark of the trees on which they recline, that it is
very difficult to detect their presence, and so extremely dull are some
species that, as the Prince von Wied tells us, they allow themselves to
be fired at repeatedly without attempting to stir, or will sit quietly
and permit a snare to be thrown over their heads. We cease to wonder at
such utter stupidity when we learn from the same source that though the
body of these Swallows equals that of the Raven, their brain does not
exceed a hazel-nut in size. Evening has no sooner set in than, like their
congeners, they at once commence their search for moths and similar prey,
in pursuit of which they soar to a very considerable height; and it is
by no means rare to find the ground completely strewn with the wings of
the enormous moths and butterflies which they attack and seize in their
huge beaks. During the night their dismal cry is constantly heard, as one
mate calls to the other; but when morning approaches they seek their
favourite retreats. Burmeister tells us that the two eggs that constitute
a brood are deposited in any slight cavity in the trees. Such as he
obtained were oval in shape, with a lustreless, pure white shell, thickly
covered with brown dots of various shades, most thickly strewn over one
end.