OF SELBORNE. 117 
teen inches and a half, and four inches and a half 
from the nose to the tip of the tail: their heads 
were large, their nostrils bilobated, their shoulders 
broad and muscular, and their whole bodies fleshy 
and plump. Nothing could be more sleek and soft 
than their fur, which was of a bright chestnut col- 
our; their maws were full of food, but so macera- 
ted that the quality could not be distinguished ; 
their livers, kidneys, and hearts were large, and 
their bowels covered with fat. They weighed 
each, when entire, full one ounce and one drachm. 
Within the ear there was somewhat of a peculiar 
structure that I did not understand perfectly, but 
refer it to the observation of the curious anato- 
mist. ‘These creatures send forth a very rancid 
and offensive smell. 
LETTER XXXVII. 
Selborne, 1771. 
Dear Sir,—On the twelfth of July I had a fair 
opportunity of contemplating the motions of the 
caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing round a 
large oak that swarmed with scarabai solstitiales, 
or fern-chafers.* ‘The powers of its wing were 
* We find the following additional information regarding the 
goat-sucker in Mr. White’s Miscellaneous Observations: ‘A 
fern-owl this evening (August 27) showed off, in a very unusual 
and entertaining manner, by hawking round the circumference 
of my great spreading oak for twenty times following, keeping 
mostly close to the grass, but occasionally glancing up among 
the boughs of the tree. This amusing bird was then in pursuit 
of a brood of some particular phalena belonging to the oak, and 
exhibited on the occasion a command of wing superior. I think, 
to the swallow itself. 
