bright chestnut colour; their maws wale full of food, but so
macerated that the quality could not be distinguished; their livers,
kidneys, 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 somewhat of a peculiar structure that I did
not understand perfectly; but refer it to the observation of the
curious anatomist. These creatures send forth a vary rancid and
offensive smell.



Letter XXXVII
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire

Selborne, 1771.

Dear Sir,

On the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of contemplating the
motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing round a
large oak that swarmed with scarabaei 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 serrated claw.