BIRDS. 349 



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 th$ 

 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 sto- 

 machs of several specimens which were shot confirmed, as the 

 remains of insects were found in all.* 



TRIBE II. CONICAL-BILLED BIRDS. CONIROSTRES. 



' The Daw, 



The Rook and Magpie, to the grey-grown oaks 



* * * * # * 



* direct their lazy flight." 



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 unfits 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 nets in large numbers, and sold as a delicacy. 



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

 them together, that gives the Lark its fascinations when in 

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



* Journal, pages 37, 330. 

 G2 



