300 THE SPHINGINA, OR HAWK MOTHS. 



Nocturna and Crepuscularia, from the greater number 

 of the species flying only in the twilight or in the 

 night, in opposition to the Butterflies, which, from 

 their period of activity being confined to the brightest 

 days, were appropriately called Diurna. We shall 

 find, however, that this distinction of habit is liable 

 to many exceptions, a considerable number of Moths 

 not only flying about exclusively in the daytime, but 

 enjoying the hottest sunshine fully as much as any 

 Butterflies. 



Amongst these is one which may be frequently seen 

 in many parts of the country, hovering motionless over 

 our flower borders, or over patches of flowering plants, 

 on banks and in the fields, ever and anon dashing 

 off with a rapidity which baffles our sight, and sus- 

 pending itself again in the air over some other flower 

 which has attracted its attention. If we capture this 

 active little fellow, which, as may be supposed, from 

 the rapidity of his movements, is no easy task, we shall 

 find his structure very different from that of the But- 

 terflies, his body is far more robust than even that 

 of the Skippers, and his wings, although strong, are 

 rather small in proportion to his bulk. His abdomen 

 is broad towards the extremity, where it is also fur- 

 nished with lateral tufts of hair, which increase its 

 breadth of surface, and render it as efficient in guiding 

 the flight of its owner as the tail of a bird, with which 

 it has, indeed, a considerable resemblance. In fact, 

 so similar are the movements of this Moth (Macro- 

 glossa Stellatarum) , which measures nearly two inches 

 in expanse of wing, to those of the tiny Humming- 

 birds of America, which also pass the greater part 

 of their existence in hovering over flowers, that 

 the name of the Humming-bird Hawk Moth has 



