A humming bird.
1634. As she flies, she makes a little humming noise like a Humblebee; wherefore shee is called the Humbird.—W. Wood, ‘New England Prosp.’ (1865), p. 31. (N.E.D.)
1791. One of those beautiful birds called Humbirds.—Gazette of the U.S., Phila., Sept. 7.
1806. Rattlesnakes are frequent and humbirds common in New-England.—Mass. Spy, Jan. 1.
1891. I never see a humbird fuller o’ buzz than little Prudy.—Rose T. Cooke, ‘Huckleberries,’ p. 167 (Boston).
