94 NATURAL HISTORY 



the motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing 

 round a large oak that swarmed with scarabcei solstitiales, or 

 fern-chafers. The powers of its wing were wonderful, exceed- 

 ing, 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 it's middle toe, 

 which is curiously furnished with a serrated claw. 



Swallows and martins, the bulk of them I mean, have for- 

 saken 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 foggy, they arose 

 ah 1 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. 



On September the twenty-fourth three or four ring-ousels 

 appeared in my fields for the first time this season : how 

 punctual are these visitors in their autumnal and spring mi- 

 grations ! 



LETTER XXXVIII. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, March 15, 1773. 

 DEAR SIR, 



By my journal for last autumn it appears that the house- 

 See letter liii. to Mr. Barrington. 



