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 the twenty-second,
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 ad 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.
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