82 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



the curious anatomist. These creatures sent forth a very 

 rancid and offensive smell. 



LETTER XXXVII 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Selborne, 1 771. 



Dear Sir, 

 On the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of con- 

 templating the motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as 

 it was playing round a large oak. that swarmed with 

 scarabaei solstitiaks, 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 

 the twenty-second, 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 staid late, till the twenty-second of August 

 — a rare instance! for they usually withdraw within the 

 first week.^ 



1 See letter liii. to Mr. Barrington. 



