Birds and All Nature, Vol. 6, No. 4, November 1899 / In Natural Colors

This eBook cover was created by the transcriber from elements within the issue and is placed in the public domain.
ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
Vol. VI.
No. 4
NOVEMBER, 1899.

HOW ONE OF THESE LITTLE FAIRY CREATURES WAS TAMED.
P. W. H.
INSTANCES are very rare where birds are familiar with human beings, and the humming birds especially are considered unapproachable, yet a naturalist tells how he succeeded in catching one in his hand. Several cases are on record of attempts to tame humming birds, but when placed in a cage they do not thrive, and soon die. The orange groves of southern California abound in these attractive creatures, and several can often be seen about the flowering bushes, seeking food or chasing each other in play. Once, when living on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountains, where they were very plentiful, I accomplished the feat of taking one in my hand, says the naturalist.
I first noticed it in the garden, resting on a mustard stalk, and, thinking to see how near I could approach, I gradually moved toward it by pretending to be otherwise engaged, until I was within five feet of it. The bird looked at me calmly and I moved slowly nearer, whistling gently to attract its attention, as I began to think something was the matter with it. It bent its head upon one side, eyed me sharply, then flew to another stalk a few feet away, contemplating me as before. Again I approached, taking care not to alarm it, and this time I was almost within reaching distance before it flew away. The bird seemed to have a growing confidence in me, and I became more and more deliberate in my movements until I finally stood beside it, the little creature gazing at me with its head tipped upon one side as if questioning what I was about. I then withdrew and approached again, repeating this several times before I stretched out my hand to take it, at which it flew to another bush. But the next time it allowed me to grasp it, and I had caught a wild bird open-handed without even the use of salt!