HUM, THE SON OF BUZ. 77 



out of all the windows, and, setting his tumbler of sugar 

 and water in a conspicuous place, went about our usual 

 occupations. We saw him joyous and brisk among the 

 honeysuckles outside the window, and it was gravely pre- 

 dicted that he would return no more. But at dinner-time 

 in came Hum, familiar as possible, and sat down to his 

 spoon as if nothing had happened ; instantly we closed our 

 windows and had him secure once more. 



At another time I was going to ride to the Atlantic 

 House, about a mile from my boarding-place. I left all 

 secure, as I supposed, at home. While gathering moss on 

 the walls there, I was surprised by a little green humming- 

 bird flying familiarly right towards my face, and humming 

 above my head. I called out, " Here is Hum's very brother." 

 But, on returning home, I saw that the door of the room 

 was open, and Hum was gone. Now certainly we gave 

 him up for lost. I sat down to painting, and in a few 

 minutes in flew Hum, and settled on the edge of my tum- 

 bler in a social, confidential way, which seemed to say, " O, 

 you Ve got back then." After taking his usual drink of 

 sugar and water, he began to fly about the ceiling as usual, 

 and we gladly shut him in. 



When our five weeks at the seaside were up, and it was 

 time to go home, we had great questionings what was to 

 be done with Hum. To get him home with us was our 

 desire, but who ever heard of a humming-bird travelling 



