104 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
captive, whicli, to my inexpressible delight, proved to be 
one of the ruby -throated species — the most splendid and di 
minntive that comes north of Florida. It immediately sug- 
gested itself to me that a mixture of two parts refined loaf- 
sugar, with one of fine honey, in ten of water, would make 
about the nearest approach to the nectar of flowers. While 
my sister ran to prepare it, I gradually opened my hand to 
look at my prisoner, and saw to my no little amusement as 
well as surprise, that it was actually " playing -possom"' — • 
feigning to be dead most skilfully ! It lay on my open palm 
motionless for some minutes, during which I watched it in 
breathless curiosity. I saw it gradually open its bright little 
eyes to peep whether the way was clear, and then close them 
slowly as it caught my eye upon it; but, when the manufac- 
tured nectar came, and a drop was touched gently to the 
point of its bill, it come to life very suddenly, and, in a mo- 
ment, was on its legs, drinking with eager gusto of the re- 
freshing draught from a silver tea-spoon. When sated it re- 
fused to take more, and sat perched with the coolest self- 
composure on my finger, and plumed itself quite as artistic- 
ally as if on its favorite spray. I was enchanted with the 
bold, innocent confidence with which it turned up its keen, 
black eye to survey us, as much as to say, " Well, good folk 
— who are you ?" 
Thus, in less than an hour, this apparently tameless rider 
of the winds, was perched, pleasantly chirping upon my 
finger, and received its food with edifying eagerness from 
my sister's hand. It seemed completely domesticated from 
the moment that a taste of its natural food reassured it, and 
left no room to doubt our being friends. By the next day, 
it would come from any part of either room — alight upon the 
side of a white China cup, containing the mixture, and drink 
eagerly with its long bill thrust into the very base, after the 
manner of the pigeons. It would alight on our fingers, and 
seem to talk with us, endearingly, in its soft chirps. Indeed, 
I never saw any creature so thoroughly tamed in so short a 
