THE HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH. 289 



its fine hawklike eyes survey all surrounding dan- 

 gers. The least movement alarms it, and it darts 

 away with the speed of an arrow ; yet returns, and 

 with suspicious vigilance continues its employ, 

 feeding always on the wing. Nature seems to have 

 given this creature some essential requisites for its 

 safety ; its activity, when on the wing, renders its 

 capture difficult ; and when it rests, it is on a wall, 

 the bark of a tree, or some dusky body, that assi- 

 milates so nearly to its own colour, as to render it 

 almost invisible, though watched to its settlement ; 

 and the larva is seldom found. We sometimes see 

 it enter our rooms, attracted by flowers in the open 

 windows ; but it seems to be immediately aware of 

 its danger, disappears in an instant, and is safe 

 from capture. Wild and fearful as this creature is 

 by nature, yet continued gentle treatment will re- 

 move much of its timidity, and render it familiar 

 to our presence. Perfectly free from any annoyance 

 as they are when ranging from sweet to sweet on 

 my borders, and accustomed to a close inspection 

 of all their operations, I have frequently touched 

 their wings with my fingers, while hovering over 

 a flower, and dipping their long tubes into the 

 corolla of a geranium : they would retire a little, 

 confused with such freedoms and interruptions, 

 but, experiencing no harm, they would return and 

 finish their meal, unmindful of such petty annoy- 

 ances. I have known this creature, like some 



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