The Framework of the Bird 



83 



and all but motionless. It is said that, comparatively, 

 the muscular energy is greater and the wing-bones more 

 powerful in a hummingbird than in any other animal. 



Nature has a puzzling way of achieving similar results 

 in a very similar manner in creatures wholly unrelated. 

 We have a good example of this in bats and birds, both 



of the keel of the Albatross, Pigeon, and Humming- 

 aal spread of wing. (Courtesy of Dr. F. A. 



Fig. 59. — Comparison of the size of the keel of the Albatross, Pigeon, ar 

 bird, supposing all to have an equal spread of wing. (Courtesy 

 Lucas.) 



of which have independently learned to propel them- 

 selves through the air by means of their front liml:»s. 

 If we take the breast-bone of a common bat and that 

 of a small bird and place them together, few persons 

 unacquainted with the bones of the tw^o types could tell 

 which w^as that of the bat, — different as that little crea- 



