32 Caprimtleus europe@us, or Fern Owl. 
“¢ Travellers and Peasantry in the Kingdom of Oude,” facing 
p. 341. vol. i.) 
It will now appear sufficiently obvious, that the particular 
posture of the bird has reference to his immediate convenience, 
and, in fact, that it is the natural and only comfortable one in 
which the bird could remain in such a situation, by reason 
of the foot being so adapted by an express provision in its 
structure. 
Of the three anterior toes, the m7zddle one is the longest, 
and, in comparison with the others, very long, say dispropor- 
tionately so. The middle toe is also provided with a claw 
differing from all the rest; it is somewhat flat, slightly curvi- 
linear outw ards, and serr mated on the concave edge, something 
like a sickle placed flatways with its point outwards. In the 
introduction to Bewick’s British Birds, edit. 6. p. XXXviL, 
there is a figure of the rzght foot, which is quite correct in 
every particular, except the serrated claw, and that is repre- 
sented as bending downwards like the other claws. Here the 
lateral toe is very intelligibly shown. 
I consider the foregoing remarks in a great degree neces- 
sary to enable us to conduct the remaining enquiry with clear- 
ness and advantage. And now, what is the use of the middle 
claw ? 
Mr. White says, there is no bird whose manners he had 
studied more, than those of the Caprimilgus ; and on the 12th 
of July, 1771, he had a fair opportunity of contemplating the 
motions of one as it was playing (or, as I suspect, hawking) 
round a large oak that swarmed with Scarabael solstitiales, or 
fern Bhnitenss He continues: “ 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 him most was, that he 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 take any 
part of its prey with its foot,” says he, “as I have now the 
greatest reason to suppose it does fhiese chafers, I no longer 
wonder at the use of its middle toe, which is curiously far- 
nished with a serrated claw.” Then the leg, foot, and claw, 
Mr. White supposes, were designedly constr eid to assist the 
bird in the capture of its insect food. But it is worthy of 
remark, he only supposes this; he did not observe the act. It 
is the more important to bear this distinction along with us, as 
he was a most acute observer, and faithful narrator of facts ; 
and, indeed, never more so than in the present instance. His 
description of the particular action of the bird is incontro- 
vertibly true; the putting out of the leg is always accompanied 
