LETTER XLVII. 



To Thomas Pennant, Esq. 



On the 12th of July I had a fair opportunity of 

 contemplating the motions of the caprimnlgus, or 

 fern-owl, as it was playing round a large oak that 

 swarmed with Scarabcei 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 ser- 

 rated claw. 



Swallows and martins, the bulk of them I mean, 

 have forsaken us sooner this year than usual : for, on 

 the 22nd of September, they rendezvoused in a neigh- 

 bour's walnut-tree, where it seemed probable they 

 had taken up their lodgings for the night. At the 

 dawn of the day, which was foggy, they arose all to- 

 gether in infinite numbers, occasioning such a rush- 

 ing from the strokes of their wangs against the hazy 

 air, as might be heard to a considerable distance : 



since that no flock has appeared, only a few stragglers. 



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