194 Bird -Lore 



A scant crop of rough black down was its only cloak, its neck was not strong 

 enough to hold its head up or keep the needle-like bill from doubling under its 

 body. 



The warden made a nest-like bed of cotton in a small box, then sprinkled 

 a few drops of sugar and water on his finger, which the bird ate greedily, 

 following the shaky drops about with its tongue. At best it must have been 

 several hours without food at a time when such young nestlings of any species 

 require constant feeding in the daylight hours. In a surprisingly short time 

 it revived and fed eagerly. At this period food was given every half hour, 

 always by sprinkling it upon the fingers. 



Soon the warden began to vary the food, using diluted honey. This diet 

 and method of feeding were continued for ten days. By this time the bird 

 was able to perch on the edge of the box, extend its wings and try to preen 

 itself. The warden then changed the feeding method and sought to stimiilate 

 the bird's actions and natural habits by dropping the food into petunias, or 

 other deep-throated flowers, and letting the Hummer siphon the nectar in 

 the usual manner. 



Then came strenuous days for the warden's entire family, for the bird 

 demanded food every fifteen minutes, and if it was not forthcoming would 

 squeak and dash about until it was supplied, the children taking their turn 

 as foster parents, until each one realized the labor required of the little parents 

 to keep even the normal Hummingbird family of two supplied. 



It was at about the twelfth day of its visit that the bird took its first bath 

 in a tablespoon, first alighting on the edge and then splashing vigorously. 

 After this it flew about at its own pleasure, having a finely developed sense of 

 direction that kept it from colliding with the many objects of a family kitchen 

 and living-room combined, and at no time was it confined. After feeding, it 

 would perch, sometimes on a picture, the clothes-rack, or on the top of the 

 clock, and more than once it stopped to rest upon the head of the warden's 

 wife when she was ironing and moving about, more or less, sometimes becoming 

 tangled in her hair. Its favorite night roost was the edge of an electric lamp 

 shade. 



Up to this time the bird had been an object of keen interest and study, but 

 for the remaining ten days of its stay it became a serious responsibility. A 

 constant watch had to be kept at the opening and closing of the screen doors, 

 lest it should make a sudden dash and be caught and crushed, for to keep a 

 bird of this species in any sort of available cage was unthinkable. In spite of 

 constant feeding and the liberty of the house, the Hummingbird was fast 

 growing restless and the desire for liberty was uppermost. 



On the twenty-second day, after much deliberation and some misgivings, 

 it was decided that the time had come when the waif must be released, for its 

 own sake^as well as our own. What would it do on thus suddenly being thrown 

 upon the world? Would it be lonely and bewildered, presently seeking to 



