“We can not agree with Dr. Steere that M. philippinus feeds only singly or in pairs, having repeatedly seen it feeding in large flocks, and even in company with M. americanus.
“Iris red; legs and feet dark brown; nails and bill black. Six males average, 255 in length; wing, 122; tail, 94; culmen, 36; tarsus, 11; middle toe with claw, 20. Eight females, length, 240; wing, 124; tail, 94; culmen, 35; tarsus, 11; middle toe with claw, 18.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
Suborder CAPRIMULGI.
Ten primaries and ten rectrices; wing long and pointed; gape very wide; bill small and weak; legs and feet moderate and rather weak; middle toe-nail pectinate; toes with slight webs at base; plumage soft and mottled; in habits crepuscular and probably nocturnal, feeding largely on moths and large beetles. The two mottled eggs are deposited on the bare ground.
Family CAPRIMULGIDÆ.
Characters same as those given for the Suborder.
Subfamily CAPRIMULGINÆ.
Genera.
- a1. Rictus without conspicuous bristles; feathers on sides of occiput elongated, forming ear-tufts; larger, wing more than 250 mm. Lyncornis (p. [342])
- a2. Rictus armed with strong bristles; no elongated feathers on head; smaller, wing less than 230 mm. Caprimulgus (p. [344])