Evening journal., 1898-02-01

HUMMING BIRDS EASILY tanned.
My next attempt at cultivating a
friendship with a humming bird was
with two young birds, nest and eggs
having been discovered in my garden.
The mother bird was very loath to de-
sert the eggs when | approached and
readily submitted to the photograph
ing process, the plate showing the lit
tie creature sitting high on the nest,
her beak pointed slightly upward.
When any one went near the tree the
bird did not make the slightest move
ment, evidently relying on the protect
i've 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 movement open
ed their wide and cavernous mouths
for the expected food. The little
birds, which first resembled hairy
spiders more than anything else. soon
obtained their feathers, and eyed us
with gentle curiosity whenever we ap-
preached the nest. A rich syrup Of
sugar and water was now offered them,
and found to be very much to their
fancy A drop upon the end Of broom
splint would at once become the target
for their SPLENDID tongues
As it became evderh that the birLs
would leave the nest in 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 de-
serted the nest, taking position upon its
edge, with much unsteady futtering.
Then began the first experiment in fly
ing, a rapid vibration Of the wings,
which merely raised the birds a few
inches above the nest This was sue
ceeded soon after by a 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 a flower
Two or three experimental days and
the birds became perfectly tame. They
would alight upon the finger or head
OF their mistress. come when called
and displayed the most artless and con
fding dispositions.
When the nest was taken the mother
bird made no protest, in fact, was moi
seen, but she soon found her offspring
The young birds. two days later, hav
ing learned the use Of their wings
few to the window that faced the or
ange grove and clung 10 the meshel
of the screen with their tiny, delicat
claws. Their plaintive squealIing sool
attracted the attention Of the mothe
bird, who hovered about the place 70
several days, endeavOring to reach he
imprisoned young, reluctantly fiyin
away whenever one of the househol
appeared
1t would be impossible to cOnceiv
greater confidence than that displaye
by the little captives. They were ah
sOlutely without fear and courted tn
closest intimacy. At night they sleI
on the edge of a basket in a closet
our room, and every morning awakene
us by lowering over our faces, utter
ing sharp little metallic notes; whe
successful, alighting upon the extend
cd finger, cooking their tiny head
from side to side in an expressive dc
mand for food At breakfast they frC
quently few down stairs, followin
their mistress, often perching on th
sugar bowl or some convenient roos
on the table, from which they woul
watch the proceedings apparent
with the greatest interest. The lit
creatures, lowering in the air and fee
J ing from our hands, presented a charm
ing spectacle.
, When called the pet birds would f
) from room to room, evidently unde
= standing its name and was a constal
surprise to lady callers, unaware of 1
presence. A humming bird in Il
; family of a friend of mine, met 4
} death by being taken for a gigant
r bee. It flew to the gorgeously deco
! ated hat of a visitor, humming abol
. the artificial flowers and followiT
! them up as the guest attempted to e
cape. The latter finally struck it dow
with a fan, only then discovering,
her surprise and dismay, that the SUI
posed insect was a pet humming bir
Charles Frederick Holden, in Il
I Il nrfa.