KATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE, 91 



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 

 22nd 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 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 stayed late, till the 22nd of August — a rare 

 instance ! for they usually withdraw within the first week. 



On the 24th of September 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 

 migrations ! 



LETTER XXXVIII. 



Selborne, 3farch 16th, 1773. 

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

 martins bred very late and stayed very late in these parts • 

 for on the 1st of October I saw young martins in their 



