64 
THE FERN-OWL. 
timie to exist ; a fact only lately, we believe, known, 
and discovered accidentally by a person who, having 
one evening shot a Goat-sucker, was surprised to see a 
moth come out of its mouth and fly away; and on 
opening the crop the next morning, it was found to 
contain several other moths, which had lived all 
night in this strange prison, and, when released, ran 
about the table fluttering their wings. 
In the last place, its foot is doubly fitted for grap- 
pling its volatile game. We give it in the annexed 
figure, of its natural size, not much larger, it will 
be seen, than that of a Sparrow, though the bird in 
size is little less than a Pigeon. The hind claw is 
remarkably small, but it is what is termed reversible , 
that is, it can turn forwards, and act in concert with 
the other three, which must be very convenient in 
catching such nimble things as moths ; but it has 
another peculiarity, — the middle claw serrated or 
toothed, very much like the Heron's, and for the same 
purpose, that of preventing the escape of quick and 
active prey. That this peculiarity is intended for 
the purpose stated, may be inferred from some 
of the largest species, in size almost equal to a 
Raven, being without a serrated claw, and whose 
food has been ascertained to consist of the fruit of 
