goatsucker
n 1: mainly crepuscular or nocturnal nonpasserine birds with
mottled greyish-brown plumage and large eyes; feed on
insects [syn: {goatsucker}, {nightjar}, {caprimulgid}]
Goatsucker \Goat"suck`er\, n. (Zool.)
One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to
{Caprimulgus} and allied genera, esp. the European species
({Caprimulgus Europ[ae]us}); -- so called from the mistaken
notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also
{goat-milker}, {goat owl}, {goat chaffer}, {fern owl}, {night
hawk}, {nightjar}, {night churr}, {churr-owl}, {gnat hawk},
and {dorhawk}.
[1913 Webster]