64 THE FERN-OWL. 



tinue to exist; a fact only lately, we believe, known, 

 and discovered accidentally by a person who, having 

 one evening shot a Goat-sucker, was surprised to see 

 a moth come out of its mouth and fly away; and on 

 opening the crop the next morning, it was found to 

 contain several other moths, which had lived all 

 night in this strange prison, and, when released, ran 

 about the table fluttering their wings. 



In the last place, its foot is doubly fitted for grap- 

 pling its volatile game. We give it in the annexed 

 figure, of its natural size, not much larger, it will 



Goat-sucker's Foot. 



be seen, than that of a Sparrow, though the bird in 

 size is little less than a Pigeon. The hind claw is 

 remarkably small, but it is what is termed reversible, 

 that is, it can turn forwards, and act in concert with 

 the other three, which must be very convenient in 

 catching such nimble things as moths; but it has 

 another peculiarity, the middle claw serrated or 

 toothed, very much like the Heron's, and for the same 

 purpose, that of preventing the escape of quick and 

 active prey. That this peculiarity is intended for 

 the purpose stated, may be inferred from some 

 of the largest species, in size almost equal to a 

 Haven, being without a serrated claw, and whose 

 food has been ascertained to consist of the fruit of 



