New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28
TANNING HUMHIhG BIRDS.

IT Is EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW.
Charles Frederick Holden in The Scientific
American.
My next attempt at cutivating a friendship
with humming with two young
birds a nest and eggs having been discovered
in my garden. The mother bird was loath to
desert the eggs when | approached. and readily
submitted to the pfotographing process. the
plate showing the little creature sitting high
the nest. her beak pointed slightly upward.
When any one went near the tree the bird did
not make the slightest movement. evidently re-
lying on the PROTECTIVE resemblance which she
and the nest possessed to a remarkable degree.
Finally. the two eggs disappeared and two
reddish impossible creatures took their place:
bits of animation which at the slightest move
ment opened their wide and cavernous mouths
for the expected food. The little birds. which
first reSembed hairy spiders more than any
thing cSe soon obtained their feathers and
eyed us with gentle curiosity whenever we ap,
preached the nest. A rich syrup OF sugar and
water now offered them. and found TO be
much to their fancy: drop upon the end of
@ broom Splint would at once become the tar
get for their slender tongues
AS ii became evident that the birds would
leave the nest in a few days. the delicate
structure was severed from the branch and re-
moved to the room of one of the women of the
house, who now undertook their education. The
little creatures almost Immediately deserted
the nest, taking position upon its edge, with
much unsteady fluttcring. Then began the first
experiments in flying, rapid vibration OF the
wings which merely raised the birds few
soon after by short excursion into the air
following the drop Of sugar, taking it upon
the wing from the hand OF their mistress just
as they would when feeding from flower
Two three experimental days and the birds
became perfectly tane They would algbt
upon the finger or head of their mistress, come
when called, and displayed the most artless ana
confdng dispositions.
When the nest taken the mother bird
made protest, in fact. was not seen, Dut she
soon found her offspring. The young birds
two days later, having learned the use of their
wings flew to the window that faced the orange
grove and chung to the meshes OF the screen
with their tiny. delicate claws. Their plaintlve
squcakng soon attracted the attention OF inc
mother bird who lowered about the place Tor
several days endeavOrng to reach her I'M
prisoned young. reluctantly flying away wheh-
ever one of the household appeared.
III would be impossible to conceive greater
confidence than that displayed by the httIe
cantivcs They were absolutely without fear
and courted the closest intimacy. AL nlght
they slept on the edge Of a basket IN a closet
i'm our room. and every morning awakened us
by lowering over our races utter'hS snaI
little metallic notes. when successful. tLiehtihe
upon the extended finger, cooking their tiny
heads from side to side in an expressive DC
mand for food. At breakfast 'hcH Hcquenu!
New downstairs following their MISTRESS. oltcn
nerchng on the sugar bowl or some convenient
roost on the table, from which they Would
watch the proceedings apparently with the
greatest interest. The little creatures, hover
ing i'm the air and feeding from our hands, pre-
scented a charming spectacle.
When called the pet bird would ny from
room to ROOM evidently understanding us name.
and VAS constant surprise 10 callers ui
aware of it's presence. humming-bird III
the family of " friend of mine, met It's death by
being taken for a gigantic bee. 1t flew to the
1orrcnusIv decorated hat OF "A visitor, humming
about the artificial flowers and following them