114 HUMMING-BIRDS. 



per surface. They assist in retaining the different 

 substances, which are immediately conveyed to the 



opening of the oesophagus by the contractility of 

 the tubes. Our own examination, however, of the 

 tongue of the Trochilus moschitus, relaxed with warm 

 water, gave the appearance of a fimbriated opening 



at the tip, having the exterior margin of each fork set 

 with recurved sharp-pointed pliable spines, as if to 

 assist its viscidity in securing any substance seized by 

 them. 



Their feet, as we have before said, are small and 

 slender, and in general present the form which we see 

 among the kingfishers, bee-eaters, and jackamars. 

 The claws are rather large in proportion, very much 

 hooked, very sharp, and may thereby assist in secu- 

 ring a firmer grasp, but which is evidently little needed 

 in their economy. For one purpose they would be 

 useful, if Mr Bullock is correct in his observations ; 

 that gentleman remarks, that, " in sleeping they fre- 



