BOLDNESS AND CURIOSITY. 85 



going and returning to the assault with incre- 

 dible swiftness ; but this is an exaggerated state- 

 ment. If not molested the female will sit quietly 

 and permit a very close approach ; nay, the bird, 

 with her nest, may be captured by means of a 

 gauze insect-net with facility. More than this, 

 she will work at the building of her nest while 

 the gazer, if quiet, stands only a few feet distant. 

 It is true that, when watched or molested, these 

 birds, actuated either by curiosity or mistrust, 

 and feeling confidence in their powers of flight, 

 will hover over a person's head, or approach 

 \vithin a foot of his face, suspending themselves 

 ,as if to scrutinise the countenance. "When 

 struck at, as they dart along, they will wheel 

 round, and inquisitively hover in front of the 

 person's face, as if to demand the reason of such 

 usage ; and we agree with Mr. Grosse, who says, 

 " The stories told of Humming-birds attack- 

 ing men and striking at the eyes with their 

 needle-like bills originated, I have no doubt, in 

 the exaggeration of fear, misrepresenting this 

 innocent curiosity." 



If much disturbed on the nest, as we have 

 seen, the Humming-bird will remove her young 

 or her eggs. In this there is no singularity. 

 The Carolina Goatsucker (Caprimulyus Carolin- 

 ensis) does the same. Audubon says," Should 

 you touch or handle the eggs, and returning to 

 the same place search for them again, you would 

 search in vain, for the bird perceives at once 



