FEEN OWL 143 



Oilobated, their shoulders broad and muscular, and their 

 whole bodies Heshy and plump. Nothing could be more 

 sleek and soft than their fur, wliich ^vas of a bright chestnut 

 colour ; their maws were full of food, but so macerated, that 

 the quahty 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 

 irachm. Within the ear, there was somewhat of a peculiar 

 structure that I did not understand perfectly ; but refer it 

 to tlie observation of the curious anatomist. These creatures 

 send forth a very rancid and offensive smell. 



LETTEE XL VII. 



TO THE SAME. 



Deae Sie, — On the twelfth of July, I had a fair opportu- 

 nity of contemplating the motions of the cap^-imulgus, or 

 fern-owl, as it was playing round a large oak that swarmed 

 with scarahcei solstitiales, or fern-chafers.* The powers ot 

 its wing were wonderful, exceeding, if possible, the various 

 evolutions and quick turns of the swallow genus. But the 

 circumstance that pleased me most was, that I saw it dis- 

 tinctly more than once put out its short leg when on the 

 wing, and, by a bend of the head, deliver somewhat into its 

 mouth. t If it takes any part of its prey with its foot, as I 



* Several species of plialcena live upon the oak ; but one, the phal<xna 

 viridana of Donovan's Bntish Insects, and which also apper.rs to have been 

 cnown to Mr. White, does considerable damage among the young oak copses 

 .n Scotland, while in the larva state. In the summer of 1828, and again in 

 that of 1829, I met with this species in immense profusion about Inverary, 

 and near Loch Katrine, where many hundred acres of oak copse appeared as 

 in early spring, with the leaves much destroyed by this insect. This must 

 undoubtedly check the growth, and, of course, when so extensively dispersed, 

 be of some consequence to the proprietor. Though AVhite describes it ju? 

 •plialcena quercits, it is undoubtedly this species which he means. — W. J. 



t Titmice do the same. I have frequently observed them to catch bees 

 with their feet. — Ed. 



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