The lazy bird in *Horton Hatches the Egg* is named Mayzie. She persuades Horton the Elephant to sit on her egg while she takes what she calls a short break, but she abandons the responsibility for a much longer escape to Palm Beach.
Published in 1940, the story follows Horton as he remains faithful to his promise through rain, snow, ridicule, hunters, a sea journey, and life in a traveling circus. His repeated insistence that he meant what he said makes him one of Dr. Seuss’s clearest examples of loyalty and perseverance.
Mayzie eventually returns when the egg is about to hatch and demands it back. Instead, the egg produces an elephant-bird, combining features of Horton and Mayzie, while Horton is rewarded for his steadfast care.
The spelling is an easy source of confusion: the character is “Mayzie,” not “Mazie.” She is also distinct from later adaptations and stage productions, which may add details such as the surname LaBird.