Night-hawk

Easton, 1897

(Heb. tahmas) occurs only in the list of unclean birds (Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15). This was supposed to be the night-jar (Caprimulgus), allied to the swifts. The Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning "to scratch or tear the face," and may be best rendered, in accordance with the ancient versions, "an owl" (Strix flammea). The Revised Version renders "night-hawk."