NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 79 



may supply many females ; as is known to be the case in 

 sheep and some other quadrupeds. But this doubt can only 

 be cleared by a farther examination, and some attention to the 

 sex, of more specimens : all that I know at present is, that my 

 two were amply furnished with the parts of generation, much 

 resembling those of a boar. 



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 chestnut color ; their maws 

 were full of food, but so macerated 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 under- 

 stand 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 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, 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 for- 



