or fyoatsucker 



LETTER XXXVII. 



To the same. 



SELBORNE, 1771. 



AR SIR, On the twelfth of July I had a fair 

 opportunity of contemplating the motions of the 

 caprimu/gus, or fern-owl, as it was playing round 

 a large oak that swarmed with Scarab<ei 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 dis- 

 tinctly, 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. 



