82 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



the curious anatomist. These creatures sent forth a very 

 rancid and offensive smell. 



LETTER XXXVII 

 TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Selborne, 1771. 



Dear Sir, 

 On the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of con- 

 templating the motions of the caprimulgus^ or fern-owl, as 

 it was playing round a large oak that swarmed with 

 scarahaei solstitiales^ 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 

 the twenty-second, they rendezvoused in a neighbour's 

 walnut-tree, where it seemed probable they had taken up 

 their lodging for the night. At the dawn of the day, 

 which was ^og^, they arose all together in infinite 

 numbers, occasioning such a rushing from the strokes of 

 their wings against the hazy air, as might be heard to a 

 considerable distance : since that no flock has appeared, 

 only a few stragglers. 



Some swifts staid late, till the twenty-second of August 

 — a rare instance! for they usually withdraw within the 

 first week.^ 



^ See letter liii. to Mr. Harrington. 



