xlviii
Genus A t h e n e .
This section of the Owls comprises many species, distributed over Europe, India, and other portions of
the Old World. By modern systcmatists these have been subdivided into no less than fifteen snbgeuera, the
particulars o f which need not be detailed here, inasmuch as we have only to deal with the single species
which visits our country.
Vol. I. PI. XXXVII.
4 4 . A t h e n e n o c t u a ........................................................................................................
L it t l e O w l .
A very common bird in France and other parts of Europe. In England it may have and doubtless has
occurred more frequently than has been supposed; but it is a bird which cannot be easily detected,
•however diligently it may be searched for. Numerous instances o f its occurrence are on rec o rd ; and
besides the nest mentioned by Hunt as having been taken at no great distance from Norwich, another is
reported to have been met with in the New Forest, and the young taken and reared at Harrow.
ORDER INSESSORES.
Family CAPRIM lJ LOID/E.
Members of this great family o f nocturnal birds frequent the warmer portions o f almost every part of the
globe, and are nearly as varied in structure as they are numerous in species. In the New World the tave-
loving Steatornis and the long-tailed Hydropsales are among the most conspicuous o f the forms inhabiting
that section of the world, as the great Podargi and the eared Lyncomithes are of those inhabiting the
Old. Their food mainly consists of insects and their larvae, with occasionally fruits and berries.
Genus C a p r im u l g u s .
The birds of this restricted form are confined to the Old World, over the greater portion of which they
range. Two are found in Great Britain.
Vol. II. PI. I.
4 5 . C a pr im u lg u s ........................................................................................................
N ig h t ja r or* G oat-su c k e r .
The Nightjar, Goat-sucker, or Churn-Owl, by which trivial names this species is known, is a true migrant,
and is very generally dispersed over tile British Islands from its arrival in May until its departure in
September.
4 6 . C a primu lg us ru f ic o l l is . . . . • • - . . . Vol. II. PI. II.
R e d -n eck ed G oat- su ck e r .
An inhabitant of Spain, North Africa, and Palestine, which has once appeared in our islands.
Family CYPSELIDiE.
The Swifts have been divided into two subfamilies, G jftdm x and C te ftinW . They are found both in
the New and the Old World. Two of the Cypselinm occur in Britain ; and one of the Ch<Blwm<e having m
a single instance been killed here, it becomes necessary to include it in the list of our avifauna.
Genus C y p se lu s .
Vol. II. PI. III.
4 7 . C ypse lus apus . • ■ . . .
S w if t .
Arrives in May and departs southward in August or the early part of September, and is therefore a true
migrant.
Vol. II. PI. IV.
4 8 . C y pse lu s m e l b a ............................................................................................
A l p in e S w if t .
A common migrant on the continent of Europe, particularly in its central and southern p arts; it also
inhabits Africa and India, and is an accidental visitor to Britain.
Genus C h^ t u r a .
The members of this genus are generally dispersed over America; nor are they absent from Asia, Africa,
or Australia. They have been divided into several subgcnera; that of Himndapus has been assigned to the
single species which in a solitary instance has found its wa, to Britain ; but I retain it under the older term
by which it is more generally known.