Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/44

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31
NIGHTJARS.
31

visitors, retiring on the approach of winter to more genial climes. Many of the species are distinguished for the brilliant hues which adorn their plumage.

Head of Nyctibius jamaicensis
Head of Nyctibius jamaicensis

HEAD OF NYCTIBIUS JAMAICENSIS.

The six Families of the Fissirostres are Caprimulgidæ, Hirundinidæ, Todidæ, Trogonidæ, Alcedinidæ, and Meropidæ.

Family I. Caprimulgidæ.

(Nightjars.)

The analogy between these birds and the Owls has been observed not only by naturalists, but even by the vulgar, as the common names of our native species, Fern Owl, Churn Owl, &c., indicate. Indeed, the nocturnal flight, the feathered