Dear Sir,--On the 12th 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.
Swallows and martins, the bulk of them I mean, have forsaken us sooner
this year than usual; for on September 22nd they rendezvoused in a
neighbour's walnut-tree, where it seemed probable they had taken up their
lodging for the night. At the dawn of the day, which was foggy, they
arose all together in infinite numbers, occasioning such a rushing from
the strokes of their wings against the hazy air, as might be heard to a
considerable distance: since that no flock has appeared, only a few
stragglers.
Some swifts stayed late, till the 22nd August--a rare instance! for they
usually withdraw within the first week.
On September 24th three or four ring-ousels appeared in my fields for the
first time this season; how punctual are these visitors in their autumnal
and spring migrations!