HUMMING-BIRO HAMTK-MOTH. 167 
continues its employ, feeding always on the wing. 
Nature seems to have given this creature some 
essential requisites for its safety ; its activity, when 
on the wing, renders its capture difficult ; and when 
it rests, it is on a wall, the hark of a tree, or some 
dusky body, that assimilates so nearly to its own 
colour, as to render it almost invisible, though 
W'atched to its settlement : the larva is seldom 
found. "We sometimes see it enter our rooms, 
attracted by flowers in the open windows ; but it 
seems to be immediately aware of its danger, dis- 
appears in an instant, and is safe from capture. 
Wild and fearful as this creature is by nature, yet 
continued gentle treatment will remove much of its 
timidity and render it familiar to our presenee. 
Perfectly free from any annoyance as they are when 
ranging from sweet to sweet on my borders, and 
accustomed to a close inspection of aU their opera- 
tions, I have frequently touched their wings with 
my fingers, while hovering over a flower, and dip- 
ping their long tubes into the corolla of a geranium : 
they would retire a little, confused with such free- 
doms and interruptions, but, experiencing no harm, 
they would return and finish their meal, unmindiul 
of such petty annoyances. I Imve known this 
creature, like some other insects, counterfeit death 
when apprehensive of danger, fall on its back, and 
appear in all respects devoid of life when in a box ; 
and, as soon as a fit opportunity arrived, dart away 
with its usual celerity 
* Journal of a Naturalist, p. 284. 
