1 82 COUNTRY NEIGHBORS AGAIN. 



They have flown into the conservatory in such nnmbers 

 that, had we wished to act over again the dear little his- 

 tory of our lost pet, Hum, the son of Buz, we should have 

 had plenty of opportunities to do it. Humming-birds have 

 been for some reason supposed to be peculiarly wild and 

 untamable. Our experience has proved that they are the 

 most docile, confiding little creatures, and the most dis- 

 posed to put trust in us human beings of all birds in the 

 world. 



More than once this summer has some little captive ex- 

 hausted his strength flying hither and thither against the 

 great roof window of the conservatory, till the whole 

 family was in alarm to help. The Professor himself has 

 left his books, and anxiously flourished a long cobweb 

 broom in hopes to bring the little wanderer down to the 

 level of open windows, while every other member of the 

 family ran, called, made suggestions, and gave advice, which 

 all ended in the poor little fool's falling flat, in a state of 

 utter exhaustion, and being picked up in some lady's 

 pocket-handkerchief. 



Then has been running to mix sugar and water, while 

 the little crumb of a bird has lain in an apparent swoon 

 in the small palm of some fair hand, but opening occasion- 

 ally one eye, and then the other, dreamily, to see when 

 the sugar and water was coming, and gradually showing 

 more and more signs of returning life as it appeared. 



