nannies [Neen OD UC LION: xx imaries in the Campylopteri. “oc without alluding to the extraordinary development of the shafts of the prima py ee wings without ¢ e ould lead one to suppose that they have an influence on the aérial : : es ae The great dilatation of these feathers e 3 ack c 5 c ’ c y C le he fe Me S ) } ) y s o ? Beale Bat : er shafts of these singularly and apparently awkwardly shaped wings eh — x Cc ye 0 c ° a = 28 s . n es are 0 : same while the shoulders or wing-coverts, in most instances, ¢ 2 What, then, can be the particular use of the broad dilated Generally the primaries and secondaries are of a sombre and uniform hue, i y i I O the rule 5 Cc | S he other part of the body. There are, however, a few, bu a Vek few exceptio is ft ‘ olour as t Ss j j t oe eae hth «tg 1 I may mention the Eudampis jugularis and Pterophanes Temmincki as instances in point: both these bird anc é : 3 3 | ry striki jec i eht; and, as I believe colour is seldom have luminous wings, and must form very striking objects during flight ; and, , € . ’ i its bei chibi ss something peculiar in the economy of civen without the intention of its being exhibited, there is doubtle oy y 5 | birds. The primaries and secondaries are in some instances stiff and rigid, while in others they are these birds. ft and yielding; some are broad, others narrow ; they are always the same in number; and the first quill soft and 3 es is constantly the longest, except in Aithurus polytmus, where the second exceeds the first in length. When we turn to the bill, we find this organ to be greatly diversified in form, and that each of these variations appears to be specially adapted for some given purpose ; eee, : have Dever seen the law of adaptation more beautifully exemplified than in the multiplied forms exhibited in the bills of the members of the various genera of this family of birds. A certain generic character runs through the whole of them: the gape in all cases is very small; and whether the bill be curved er straight, the upper mandible overlaps the under one on both sides, and thus forms an admirable protection for the delicate double-tubed tongue. If we examine the extraordinarily lengthened bill of Docemastes ensiferus and the short feeble bill of she Leshia Gouldi, we see the extremes as regards the length of this organ; and we are not less astonished at the functions they are both intended to perform. The bill of the D. ensifer, which is more than five inches long, and which contains a tongue capable of being protruded nearly as far beyond its tip, is most admirably fitted for the exploration of the lengthened and pendent corollas of the Brugmansie ; while the short-billed ZLesdre cling to the upper portion of those flowers, pierce their bases, and with the delicate feelers at the extremities of the tongue, readily secure the insects which there abound. I have been assured by M. Bourcier that this is really a practice of the bird, and that it frequently resorts to this device for the purpose of gaining its insect food ; but I suspect that, besides exploring the stalwart Brugmansic, a more delicate flora is the object for which its bill is especially formed. In no part of America are there so many tubular-flowered plants as among the Andes ; and the greater number of the Humming-Birds found there have straight and lengthened bills, such as the members of the genera Helianthea, Bourcieria, Celigena, ete. The arched bills of the Phaéthornithes are admirably adapted for securing the insects which resort to the leaves of trees, and upon which these birds are said to exist. But how much are we astonished when we examine the bill of Zutoveres ! and find this organ curved downwards pevorditie