The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-01-25

FLIGHT OF BIRDs.-Birds regards structure,
are perhaps the most perfectly endowed as they
are certainly the most beautiful and interesting, of
al the lower animals. In birds there is an admira-
bic mechanism and adaptation both for gliding in
the air and swimming in the water. They surpass
all other animals in the faculty of continuing their
motion without resting, well as in its rapidty.
The feetest courser scarcely ran more than a
mile minute, nor supported that speed beyond five
or six such exertions. But the Joyous swallow
does this tenod for pleasure In this usual way he
ni1e at the ratO of oiie mile In minute; and will
son, the ornithologis ascerained that the swallow
is so engaged for ten hours every day SO can the
bluebrd of America, for space of 600 miles, Car
rer pigeons move with half that CELEBRITY; one few
from Liskeard TO London, 220 miles, in six hours
The golden eagle is supposed to fly through the
fercest storm at the rate of 160 miles an hour; but
one of our smallest birds, the swift, quad
ruple the most excited quickness of the horse
for distance. SpalaDzani thought that the little
swift travelled at the rate Of $50 miles an hour.
Inquiries into the phenomena of the flight of birds
would lead US far beyond our limits. The subject
is beset with error. Thus, we read every one
has remarked the manner in which birds of prey
float, as it were without any effort and with steady
expanded wings, at great heights in the atmosphere
This they are enabled to do from the quantity of
air contained in the air cells of their bodies, which
air being taken in at a low level in the atmosphere
of course rarefes and expands as the bird ascends
into higher regions. Their rapdity Of descent
must be accomplished by the sudden expulsion of
this air, aided by their muscular efforts"
Now Dr. Crisp has read to the Geological Society
paper "0n the presence or absence of air in the
bones of birds,' for the purpose of showing the
prevailing error upon the subject-viz., "Ihat the
bones of the bird filled with air." OF fiiy-two
British birds recently dissected by him. only one
the sparrow hawk-had the bones generally perfora
ted for the admission of air In thirteen others the
humeri only were hollow, and among these were
several birds of short fight. In the remaining thir
ty-eight neither the humeri nor femora contained
air. although in this list were several birds of pas
sage and of rapid fght-Dr Crisp's conclusion be-
ing that the majority of British birds have no air in
their bones and that with the exception of the fall
cons, but very few British birds have hollow
femora.
Mr.. Gould records most remarkable instance of
rapid and sustained fight, which he witnessed on
ceeded for the purpose of studying the habits and
manners of the species OF tyochi,s humming- bird
frequenting that portion of America Having re-
marked that he arrived just prior to the period of
the migration of this bird from Mexico to the North
and had ample opportunities for observing it in a
state OF nature he noticed that its actions very
peculiar and quite different from those of all other
birds; the flight is performed by a motion of the
wings rapid to be almost imperceptible; in
deed the muscular power of this little creature ap
pears to be very great in every respect as indepe
IDENTIFY of its rapid and sustained flight il grasps the
small twigs, flowers, &c, upon which 1t aghis with
the utmost tenacity. II appears TO be most active
in the morning and evening" and to pass the middle
of the day in state of sleepy torpor. Occasionally
it occurs in such numbers that fifty or sixty birds
may be seen in single tree. When captured it so |
speedily becomes tame that 1t will feed from the |
hand or mouth within half an hour.