Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-19
This and That
By Charles E. TraceyeH
LEONARDTOWN, MD.

Dear Sir:
81 read with much interest the statement
by c. T. r. In which his neighbor observed q
praying mantis clutching hummingbird,
which later proved dead. The argument
seemed to be that the bird was dead when
caught, as the mantis was not strong enough
to catch a we'll bird in fight.
"I know nothing of the habits of humming-
birds. or the praying mantis, however, I
would like to relate my experience.
Last summer while walking past some
flowers I observed several hummingbirds
nosing in and out Of the petals.
Il became interested in their movements,
and watched their actions, apparently I'M
observed, with much interest.
Suddenly one seemed to flutter frantic
ally In one position. was standing very
close (about three feet away
ITO my establishment, praying mantis
had his forward portion extended from a
heavy stem; in his two long claws, he en-
circled the hummingbird. holding him
securely.
For period of thirty seconds watched
this battle for survival by the hummingbird.
Suddenly decided to free him.
Il secured the nearest small stick handy,
and struck the mantis to cause him to re-
lease his hold.
1.-The hummer flew away apparently I'M
harmed.
Il have often regretted that had not my
camera handy to record this unusual ex-
perience.
II have told many people about this, but no
one think, actually believes me; however,
I actually believe the praying mantis would
have killed the hummingbird, had not re-
leased him.
'Was right in releasing the bird, or should
I have let the laws of nature decide?
Sincerely. F. B. D."
We feel that this correspondent was quite
right in interfering as he did.
While one school of thought in this matter
has it that no one should step in, in such
cases, another feels that man takes the place
of God, in all such instances, and that
being merciful is better than allowing the
cruel laws" of nature to prevail.
After all, in such cases, the laws Of nature
do not provide immutably for one thing or
another. Might is right, in nature, surely,
and still it strikes the watching human
that might, in many such cases, Is completely
wrong.
It is the call of the underdog," the little
fellow, when the victim is larger. To such an
appeal, some human natures respond more
readily than others.
One may feel that mercy is better than
impartial pustice, when only death can come
as the result of the latter.
After all, it was only complete misfortune
that led the hummingbird to come so close
to the mantis that the latter could grab it
with those long praying" arms.
There was no immortal intent involved;
the mantis was hungry, and here was food.
But there was plenty of other food for him,
although he would have had to wait little
longer for dinner
The mantis is of strong, leathery con-
struction, with really gigantic strength every
thing considered.
It not only has strong cutting and saving
pincers, but also strong bite.
While it may be thought that ordinarily
the hummer, by the mere beat of its wings,
could cause the mantis to let go, there may be
involved here the old panic fear Of the animal
kingdom.
It may be that when so caught, the hum
mer, relatively larger and stronger, relapses
into complete fear, and succumbs not only to
pincers and jaws, but even to the hypnotic
effect of the mantis' eyes,
Not only is the praying mantis the only
insect that can turn it's head to look COM
pletely backward, but also it has really
baleful-shall we say a really human eye?
It is an eye that might frighten to death
any unwary creature it catches. The hum
mer is, after all, bird weighing not more
than half an ounce; If its tremendously rapid
wing beat does not cause the mantis to let
go, probably nothing else except kind human
Intervention could save it. No one should
hesitate to step in. One has right to be
kind.