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NATURAL HISTORY 



LETTER XXXVII. 



TO THE SAME. 



DEAR SIR ; Selbobne, 177K 



On the twelfth oi July 1 had a fair oppor- 

 tunity of contemplating the motions of the 

 caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing 

 round a large oak that swarmed with scara- 

 hcei 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 cir- 

 cumstance 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. 



