94 NATURAL HISTORY 
food, but fo macerated that the quality could not be diftlnguifli- 
ed ; their livers, kidnies, and hearts, were large, and their bowels 
covered with fat. They weighed each, when entire, full one 
ounce and one drachm. Within the ear there was fomewhat of 
a peculiar flrudure that I did not underftand perfedly ; but refer 
it to the obfervation of the curious anatomift. Thefe creatures 
fent forth a very rancid and ofFenfive fmell. 
LETTER XXXVn. 
TO THE SAME. 
DEAR SIR, Selborne, 1771. 
O N the twelfth of 'July I had a fair opportunity of contem= 
plating the motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was play- 
ing round a large oak that fwarmed with fcarabai foljlitiales, or 
fern-chafers. The powers of it's wing were wonderful, exceeding, 
if pofTible, the various evolutions and quick turns of the fwallow 
genus. But the circumftance that pleafed me mofl; was, that 1 faw 
it diftinftly, more than once, put out it's fliort leg while on the 
wing, and, by a bend of the head, deliver fomewhat into it's 
mouth. If it takes any part of it's prey with it's foot, as I have 
now the greatefl reafon to fuppofe it does thefe chafers, I no 
longer wonder at the ufe of it's middle toe, which is curiouHy 
furnilhed with a ferrated claw. 
Swallows 
