IIUMjriNG BIRD. 
211 
of tlie liquid frequently brought small flics and gnats al>out the cage, 
and cup, the birds amused themselves by snapping at them on Aving, and 
swallowing them with eagerness, so that these insects formed no incon- 
siderable part of their food. Mr. Charles Wilson Peale, proprietor of 
the Museum, tells me, that he had two young Humming Birds Avhich he 
raised from th,e nest. They used to fly about the rooms; and would 
frequently perch on Mrs. Peale's shoulder to l)e.fed. When the sun 
shone strongly into the chamber, he has observed them darting after 
the motes that floated in the light, as Flycatchers would after flies. 
In the summer of 1803 a nest of young Humming Birds was brought 
me, that Avere nearly fit to fly. One of them actually flew out by the 
wmdow the same evening, and- falling against a wall, was killed. The 
other refused food, and the next morning I could but just perceive that 
it had life. A lady in the house undertook to be its nurse, placed it in 
her bosom, and as it began to revive, dissolved a little sugar in her mouth, 
into which she thrust its bill, and it sucked with great avidity. In this 
manner it was brought up until fit for the cage. I kept it upwards of , 
three months, supplied it witli loaf sugar dissolved in water which it 
preferred to honey and water, gave it fresh flowers every morning 
sprinkled Avith the liquid, and surrounded the space in Avhich I kept it 
Avith gauze, that it might not injure itself. It appeared gay, active, and 
full of spirit, hovering from floAver to floAver as if in its native Avilds, 
and ahvays expressed by its motions and chirping, great pleasure at 
seeing fresh floAvers introduced to its cage. Numbers of people visited 
it from motives of curiosity, aii<l I took every precaution to preserve it, 
if possible, through the Avinter. Unfortunately, hoAvever, by some means 
it got at large, and, flying al)out the room, so injured itself that it 
soon after died. 
This little bird is extremely susceptible of cold, and if long deprived 
of the animating influence of the sunbeams, droops and soon dies. 
A very beautiful male Avas brought me this season, Avliich I put into a 
Avire cage, and placed in a retired shaded part of the room. After 
fluttering about for some time, the Aveather being uncommonly cool, it 
clung by the Avires, and hung in a seemingljr torpid state for a Avhole 
forenoon. No motion whatever of the lungs could be perceived, on the 
closest inspection, though at other times this is remarkably observaljle ; 
the eyes Avere shut ; and Avhen touched Ijy the finger it gave no signs of 
life or motion. I carried it out to the open air, and placed it directly 
in the rays of the sun, in a sheltered situation. In a fcAv seconds 
respiration became very apparent ; the bird breathed faster and faster, 
opened its eyes, and began to look about, Avith as much seeming vivacity 
as ever. After it had completely recovered, I restored it to liberty ; 
and it flcAv off" to the Avithered top of a pear tree, Avhere it sat for 
