Litchfield enquirer., 1839-04-11
sAGAcITx OF Do<Es.

Mr.. Editor-Much has been written and
spoken upon the sagacity Of animals; and
SO interesting is this subject to mos. PEG.
pie, and especially to youth, that almost
every person has beguiled the seventies Of
a winters evening by narraiing 10 his chill
drcn some well at.ested fea,s Of animals H.
Illustrative Of their surprising sagacity.--
These anecdotes are generally related OF
quadrupeds, the dog the horse and the Ell
ephant but I shalt relate one Of the en-
blem Of beauty and innocence--.he Dove.
Early in the present winter my dove
cot was broken into, from the scaffold, by
a stranger cat, in the darkness Of night,
and two of the peaceful inmates were
surprised and devoured in presence Of
The family BY this merciless invader. A.
soon as the morning came, they all forsook
their house, and gave such tokens offright,
as induced Us 10 search for the cause and
the remains Of the slain in the apartment
that had, till then, proved their asylum, at
once dispelled all doubts in regard to the
cause Of the present distress. But ano.h-
err painful question arose with my children,
whose sympathies with the Et,le sufferers
were nov ut their height" How could the
old creature get into the dove.heuse :" My
young son had the frankncss 10 dispeI this
pcrplexiy. Owing to the severity Of tho
weather few days previous, he thought
he would feed bis doves without calling
them from their retreat, spd went to the
rear Of their room on the scafold, removed
board, cast in the grain, but not take snf-
ficicnt caution 10 replacing the board. We
at once secured the apartment against an
other invasion, and replenished it with
food but although the weather continued
intensely cold, and the wind boisterouss
the doves would in no wise enter ihcir bsb-
i,ation by day or by night but sought
their security ut the expense of their COM
fort by perchiDg upon the roof Of the car.
rage house, barn or dwelling house. Bot
in each OF these places the ruthless spoil
err surprised them, and continued 10 reduce
their number, elnding all oUr efforts to take
her by trap, or otherwise. AZ length fear
ing that the whole covey would fall prey
to her rapacity, resolved TO lie in ambush
" ith powder and buck-shot, and await her
approach, The plan was snccessfuI. Be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock ar night,
the old marauder advanced slowly and eau.
,iously forward 10 renew her depredations
upon the iDnoeeBts /; bot at that moment
she fell sacrifice TO her murderous daring.
The little deyes from the roof Of our dwell
ling, and BY the aid Of the light Of the
Moon, saw her bounding end agoniziDg
in death. The next morning, while the
children were rejoicing over the falI Of
their common enemy. and q monster 10 size
she was, among our feline race. the doves
participated in the general joy. as indica-
led BY their flying to, circling upon ihe
wing, and lowering over, the slain. and
then return TO their deserted habi,atlon,
cooling and strut,ing, in conscious security
after an exile of more than two months
The following night. they took roost IN
their own house, bot stationed one at each
window for a sentinel. Aud as this order
was strictly adhered to each successive
night, we were led to apprehends there
might be a remaining Zoe ON the premises.
Another ambush on my part was successful
ia taking the surviving partner 10 crime. and
from that moment. the sentinels have been
recalled, notification i resumed. and ull APP
pears bliIhsnme. and fall of hope. Weep.
ing mag eMdaSs for nigkt. bat ley eanssfA
ia tie msrniag. FPS. xxx. a.--Congzegsy