The Collaborative International Dictionary
Caprimulgus \Caprimulgus\ n. the type genus of the Caprimulgidae, including the whip-poor-will ( Caprimulgus vociferus) and the chuck-will's-widow ( Caprimulgus carolinensis).
Syn: genus Caprimulgus.
Caprimulgidae \Caprimulgidae\ n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the whip-poor-will ( Caprimulgus vociferus), the chuck-will's-widow ( Caprimulgus carolinensis), and the common nighthawk ( Chordeiles minor); -- called popularly the goatsuckers or nightjars. The nighthawks are sometimes active during the day.
Syn: goatsuckers, nightjars, family Caprimulgidae.
The family . . . is alternately known as the
nightjars (derived from the "churring" sounds of
several species -- "jarring" the night air), or
goatsuckers, a nonsense name that should be
discontinued as it has its origin in the
preposterous myth that the birds sucked the milk
of nanny goats until they were dry.
--Terence
Michael Short
(Wild Birds of
the Americas)