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It is one of the smallest hawkmoths, with a
wingspan of l3/4 inches (4 cm.). At rest, it is
predominantly chocolate brown in colour, but when
disturbed it reveals bright orange hindwings. It
takes its name from its ability to hover whilst drawing
nectar from flowers through its long proboscis.
The moth does this during the day and evening.
After taking a number of colour transparencies of
the moth, we released it back into the garden to feed
from the valerian flowers.
Andrew McClenaghan
BANK HOLIDAY BLOODSHED
Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 31st May, 1982 was,
unusually for a Bank Holiday, very fine and warm,
and when I closed a sittingroom window about 7.30 p.m.,
I noticed a young thrush lying on the ground, which
had, presumably, hit the window and broken its neck.