288 On Humming. Birds in Captivity.


Humming-Bird. droops and is miserable at all times except when

the sun is shining brightly, it is no wonder that in the London

climate the birds cannot live for any length of time.


It must be recognised that the Humming-Bird is to a great

extent, if not entirely, insectivorous, and that a sugar solution

alone is under no circumstances sufficient to keep it alive. That

is the reason why the natives of South America have never

succeeded in keeping these birds in captivity for more than a few

days. In Venezuela itself we have kept Humming-Birds in cages

for between three and four months, and we are convinced that

under suitable conditions, with proper care and individual

attention, there is no reason why they should not live in captivity

as well and as readily as most other insectivorous birds. In any

case the actual length of the Humming-Bird's life has never

been established, but it is hardly to be expected that it would

extend over any considerable time.


One point is absolutely certain, and that is, that of all the

different birds which we have at different times kept in captivity,

both abroad and here, the Humming-Bird is by far the tamest.

It knows no fear, and a very few minutes after it has been caught

will sit on one's finger and take its food. It is a bird of more

than average intelligence and very readily adapts itself to its

surroundings. Altogether we have kept a large number in

captivity, and do not recollect one case in which a Humming-

Bird has failed to make itself at home in its cage within a very

short time after it has been caught. Even in their wild state these

birds enter without fear inhabited rooms and balconies, and have

often been known to build their nests and hatch out the young

inside rooms, halls, etc., allowing the passers-by to watch them

sitting on their eggs and feeding their young.


In conclusion, we may repeat that the Humming-Bird is,

above all, a creature of sunshine and liberty: in its habits it

resembles a tropical butterfly much more than a bird, and the

same ideal conditions which would be necessary to keep the

former in captivity are also required in the case of Humming-

Birds. For those who have seen these beautiful birds free in

their native state, it can but be a sad sight to note their ruffled

plumage and dejected appearance in captivity ; and it has made



