Guacharo , a fissirostral bird of the family caprimulgidoe or goatsuckers, subfamily stea-torninoe or oil birds, and genus steatornis (Humboldt). There is only one described species, the S. Caripensis (Humb.); it is nocturnal, living in great numbers in the cave of Gua-charo in Venezuela, described by Humboldt. The family and genus are treated in the article Goatsucker. The bird is about the size of the common fowl, with a curved and toothed bill; the color is dark bluish gray, with minute streaks and spots of deep brown, and white spots bordered with black on the head, wings, and tail; the spread of the wings is about 3 1/2 ft. The food is vegetable, principally seeds and hard fruits, upon which they grow so fat that the Indians destroy great numbers for the sake of their oil, which they use in preparing their favorite dishes. They would long ago have been exterminated, were it not for the superstitious fears of the natives, who do not dare to penetrate far into their caves, terrified by the shrill cries of the vast multitudes when disturbed by the torches of explorers.

Guacharo Bird (Steatornis Caripensis).