The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-02
HUMMING BIRDS EASILY tanned
Ii Would be Impossible to Conceive
Greater Confidence Than They
DiSnInv


Charles Frederick Holden, in the Scion
tific American.
My next attempt at CultiVating a
friendship with a humming bird was
with two young birds, a nest and eggs
having been discovered in my garden
The mother bird was very lCath to de-
sert the eggs when ] approached and
readily submitted to the photograph
ing process, the plate showing the little
creature sitting high on the nest. her
bcat pointed slightly upward. When
any one went near the tree the bird
did not make the slightest movement
evidently relying on the protective re-
scmblance which she and the nest pos
scssod to a remarkable degree.
Finally, the two eggs disappeared
and two reddish impossible creatures
took their place: bits of animation
! which at the slightest movement OPEN
ed their wide and cavernous mouths
for the expected food. The little birds,
which first rcscnblcd hairy spiders
moro than anything else. scon obtain
cd their feathers. and eyed us with
gentle curiosity whenever we approach
ed the nest. \ rich syrup of sugar and
water was now offered them, and found
-
drop upon the end of a broom splnt
would at ono" become the target for
their slender tongues.
As it became evident that the birds
would leave the nest in a few days, the
delicate structure was severed from the
| branch and removed to the room Of one
of the ladies of the house who now
undertook their education. The little
creatures almost Immediately desert
| ed the nest, saliing position upon it's
edge, with mnCh unsteady 1utterlng.
Then began the first experiments in
flying, a rapid vibration of tho wings,
which merely raised the birds few
| inches above the nest. This was sue
cecdcG soon after by a short excursion
| into the air following the drop of
sugar, taking ii upon the wing from
! the hand Of their mistress just as they
| would when feeding from a flower.
| Two or three experimental days and
| the birds became perfectly tame. They
would aliCht upon the finger or head
| of their mistress, come when called ana
| displayed the most artlass and ,Onfid-
in" dispositions.
When tie nest was talica the mother
bird made no protest. in fact, was
not seen, but she soon found her off
spring. The young birds, two days
later, having learned the use Of their
| wings. flew to the window that faced
| tho O"ange grove and clurg to the
meshcs of tn" screen with their tiny.
delicate claws. Their plaintive squeak
inG soon attracted the attention of the
mother bird, who hOvercd about the
place for several days, cndeavoring to
reach her imprisoned young. reluct-
antly flying away whenever one Of the
household appeared.
1t would ne impossible to conceive
greater confidence than that displayed
by the little Captivrs. They were alb
Sulutely without fear and courted the
closest intimacy. Al night they slept
ON the edge of a basket i'm a closet in
our room, and every morning awakeL-
ed us by lowering over our faces ut.
tcrinE sharp little metallic notes;
when successful. alightin5 upon the
extended finger cooking their tiny
heads from side to side in an express
i've demand for food At breakfast
they frequently flew down stairs, fol-
lowing their mistress, often perching
on the sugar bowl or some convenient
roOst on the table, from which they
would watch the proceedings apparent =
ly with the greatest interest. The lit
tie creatures. lowering in the air ard
feeling from our hands, presenting a
charming spectacle,
when called the pet bird would fly
| from room to room, evidently uader-
standing it's name and was q. constant
surprise to lady callers, unaware of its
presence. \ humming bird. in the
family Of a. friend of mine, met its
death by being taken for a gigantic
bee. 1t flew to the gorEeously decorat-
| ed hat of a visitor hummng about the
! artificial flowers and following them
up as the guest ATTEMPTED to escape.
| The latter finally struck it down with
a fan, only then discovering, to her
surprise and dismay, that the supposed
| insect was q pet humming bird.