Some had hummers, made of whalebone, which hummed musically in the wind as they rose; and as for fighting kites, they were abroad in squads and battalions.
"Peeps at Many Lands: Japan"
John Finnemore
hummers We meet with a remarkable musician in Dombey and Son in the person of Harriet Carker's visitor, a scientific one, according to the description: A certain skilful action of his fingers as he hummed some bars, and beat time on the seat beside him, seemed to denote the musician; and the extraordinary satisfaction he derived from humming something very slow and long, which had no recognizable tune, seemed to denote that he was a scientific one.
"Charles Dickens and Music"
James T. Lightwood
Come: bear a hand, my hummers!
"The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas"
James Fenimore Cooper