The LYRE-TAILED NIGHT JAR (_Hydropsalis forcipata_), as the species with which we are most familiar has been called, is spotted with brown and yellow upon its body, the centre of the throat being white. The exterior tail-feathers of this beautiful bird are from twenty-six to twenty-eight inches long, while the body does not exceed seven, and the wing nine inches. According to Azara, the Lyre-tailed Night Jar is somewhat rarely met with, as it usually frequents the inmost recesses of the vast forests of South America. Its scientific name, _Hydropsalis_, has been derived from the fact that like other Night Swallows it flies close to the water when passing over the lakes or rivers in search of food. Some Goatsuckers have certain feathers of their wings so remarkably developed, that they have been called by the Arabs "_the four-winged birds_," and are described by Swainson under the name of MACRODIPTERYX. THE LONG-WINGED MACRODIPTERYX. The LONG-WINGED MACRODIPTERYX (_Macrodipteryx longipennis_) has the tail of moderate size, and straight at its extremity; the foot resembles that of the European species; the beak is delicate and furnished with long bristles at its base. The plumage of the _male_ bird is characterised by the long appendages which grow between the primary and secondary quills. These appendages, or rather shafts, are frequently seventeen inches long, entirely bare to within six inches of the extremity, where the web grows upon both sides and forms a broad expansion. The wing of the female is entirely without this remarkable structure. The plumage, which is somewhat dusky, is a mixture of red and black; the throat is paler, and the nape decorated with a yellowish tint; the primaries are striped black and red, with a dark tip; the secondaries are black with four red stripes. The centre tail-feathers are grey, spotted and streaked with black. The length of these birds is about five inches: the tail measures from three and a half to four, and the wing six inches and three-quarters. THE STREAMER-BEARING NIGHT JAR OR "FOUR WINGS." The STREAMER-BEARING NIGHT JAR, or "FOUR WINGS" (_Cosmetornis vexillarius_), is another remarkable species, closely allied to that above described, but distinguished by the development, not of one only, but of two excessively long feathers, that grow from each wing. These peculiar appendages are furnished with a web upon both sides, extending throughout their entire length. We are entirely without particulars as to the life and habits of this extremely rare bird, which inhabits South-eastern Africa. * * * * *