196 PRocEEDrNGS OF THE [MoTch, 1888. 



it difficult to administer nourishment to a humming-bird. So at night I placed 

 it among the leaves of the vine, — for it was a warm night, — and in the morn- 

 ing the Uttle sufferer lay dead on the ground beneath. 



Now, I must confess, a revengeful feeling against the Mantis entered my 

 heart, so I chloroformed him. When I thought him dead enough, I unbottled 

 him, and, with almost a naturalist's enthusiasm, I spread him out, and found 

 much to admire, both in what I could understand, and in what I could not 

 understand. I then placed him aside for a possible dissection next morning, 

 but the next morning discovered the Mantis slowly recovering vitality, and I 

 then determined to assist it in its struggle for life. During the day it was able 

 to take with apparent relish a fly or two and several mosquitos, and to drink a 

 drop of water suspended from the wire gauze cover under which it had been 

 placed. But in a day or two it refused nourishment and began gradually to 

 droop, so I placed it upon the vine and do not know what eventuallj' became 

 of it. 



Now I should be pleased to know from yourself or any of your brother nat- 

 uralists, if this species of Mantis, not more than two and a half inches in 

 length, and quite common in this latitude, has ever before been known to act- 

 ually seize, and firmly hold a bird on the wing. The humming-bird, it is true, 

 is very small, but the muscles of its wings must be quite powerful, as evinced 

 by its abiUty to dart swiftly away from that almost motionless posture which 

 it maintains by the rapid vibration of its wings as it poises itself near the 

 flower holding its food. 



I should like also to have your ojjinion as to the possibility of maintaining 

 the humming-bird in a state of captivity. Is it not necessary that it should be 

 always upon the wing in taking its food, which may be either the honied secre- 

 tions of, or the insects found in flowers? 



I have intruded longer than I intended upon your patience. Perhaps if I 

 were more of a naturalist I could put my questions in a more interesting form, 

 as it is, I thank you for even reading them. 

 Respectfully Yours, 



G. W. ALEXANDER. 



Mr. Mazyck explained that Mr. Alexander having recently mentioned to him 

 that he had witnessed the capture of a humming-bii'd by a mantis, he had sug- 

 gested that a written statement of the occurence should be made for record in 

 the Proceedings of this Society, this letter, therefore, although addressed to 

 him personally, was intended as a communication to the Society, and he asked 

 that it should be so considered. 



The letter was referred to Mr. Smyth for reply. 



The following paper was read : 



