104 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



In the extent of their wings they measured fourteen 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 chesnut colour; their maws were full of 

 food, but so macerated that the quality could not be distin- 

 guished; 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 anatomist. These 

 creatures sent forth a very rancid and offensive smell. 



LETTER XXXVII. 



SELBORNE, 1771. 



DEAR SIR, On the i2th July I had a fair opportunity of 

 contemplating the motions of the caprimulgu^ or fern-owl, as it 

 was playing round a large oak that swarmed with scarabm solsti- 

 tiales, or fern-chafers. The powers of 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 distinctly, more than once, put out its short leg 

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

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

 now the greatest reason to suppose it does these chafers, I no 

 longer wonder at the use of its middle toe, which is curiously 

 furnished with a serrated claw. 



Swallows and martins, the bulk of them I mean, have forsaken 

 us sooner this year than usual ; for on September 22nd they ren- 

 dezvoused in a neighbour's walnut-tree, where it seemed probable 

 they had *aken up their lodging for the night. At the dawn of 

 the day, which was foggy, they arose all together in infinite 



