164 The Bird 



The great extent to which all the external organs 

 and parts of birds are adapted to facilitate the obtain- 

 ing of food is evident in every species; but in humming- 

 birds this adaptation is especially apparent, because we 

 can compare these feathered mites with other creatures 

 far beneath them structurally, but with feeding habits 

 and general environment so similar that such a com- 

 parison is fraught with interest. These other creatures 

 to which I refer are hummingbird moths. Again and 

 again collectors have shot the moths, mistaking them 

 for hummingbirds, as the manner of flight is the same 

 in both, and the way in which each species poises before 

 a flower, probing it with proboscis or bill, is identical. 

 Of the way this wonderful resemblance is carried out 

 even in details of the body Bates writes: "It is certainly 

 very curious, and strikes me even when both are in the 

 hand. Holding them sideways, the shape of the head 

 and position of the eyes in the moth are seen to be nearly 

 the same as in the bird, the extended proboscis represent- 

 ing the long beak. At the tip of the moth's body there 

 is a brush of long hair-scales resembling feathers, which 

 being expanded look very much like a bird's tail." 



It seems very improbable that this resemblance can 

 be attributed to mimicry, as neither has many danger- 

 ous enemies, their marvellous powers of flight being an 

 all-sufficient protection. So we are left to conclude that 

 it is solely to similarity in method of seeking their food 

 that the likeness is due. 



