BinDS. 333 



term denoting this peculiarity (Tenuirostres) . They cannot be 

 better exemplified than by the Humming-birds (Fig. 266), a 

 tribe which includes some of the smallest and most beautiful 

 of the whole feathered race, combining the richness of flowers 

 and the brilliancy of gems. They take their name from the 

 manner in which they hover over flowers, keeping up a hum- 

 ming-noise by the vibration of their wings, the motion of which 

 at such times is so rapid as to be scarcely visible. Mr. Darwin 

 says they reminded him of the sphinx moths, and considers 

 that insects rather than honey are the objects of their search 

 — an opinion which an examination of the stomachs of several 

 specimens which were shot confirmed, as the remains of in- 

 sects were found in all.* 



Tbibe II.— CONICAL-BILLED BIRDS.— CONIROSTRES. 



" The Daw, 



The Rook and Magpie, to the grev-grown oaks 



• » • • * • • 



• • • direct their lazy flight." 



Thomson's " Summer." 



The first bird we shall mention — the Sky-lark — does not 

 exhibit that form of bill which gives name to the tribe ; the 

 true representatives of the group must be sought, not upon 

 the outskirts, but towards the centre of the territory. The 

 hinder toe is apparently disproportioned to the others by its 

 [great length ; but this peculiarity, which imfits the Lark for 

 perching, enables it to walk with ease upon the grass, and 

 spring upwards ere the wings are expanded for flight. The 

 food consists of seeds, worms, and insects. The bird delights 

 in dusting itself; a process in this as in others resorted to, for 

 the purpose, it is supposed, of freeing themselves from small 

 parasitic insects. In autumn. Larks collect in large flocks, 

 become fat, and in some parts of England are captured by 

 aets in lai'ge numbers, and sold as a delicacy. 



But it is not any one of these circumstances, nor all of 

 item together, that gives the Lark its fascinations, when in 

 jarly spring we listen to the flood of music it pours on the 



• Journal, pages 37, 330, 



