Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-06-29

taril1 com. near them. When touched
with The boughs, they are said to grow
suddenly rigid, with strong convulsions |;
after q while they slowly recover, but
seem siclly for some time.
The following Northumberland anec-
doie has something wonderfully human
about it,:
A parrot had been caught young, and
trained BIZ a Spanish lady, who sold il to an
English sea-captain. For time, the bird
seemed sac. among the fogs Of England,
where birds and men all spoke 10 her IN a
foreign tongue. By degrees. however, she
learned the language, forgot her Spanish
phrases, and seemed to feel at home
Years passed on. and found Pretty Poll
The pct. Of the captains family. At last,
her brilliant feathers began 10 turn gray
with age; she could take no food but soft
pulp, and had not strength enough to
mount her perch. But no one had the
heart to kill the old fayorite she was en-
twined with so many pleasant, household
Irecollections. She had been some time in
this feeble condition. when Spanish gen
ileman called one day 10 see her master.
1t was the first Time she had heard The Ian.
guage for many years Il probably
brought back to memory the scenes OF her
youth 10 that beautiful region ofvines and
sunshine. She spread forth her wings
with wild scream of-joy, rapidly run
over the Spanish phrases, which she had
not Uttered for years, and fell down dead.
There is something strangely like reas-
on ia this II makes one want 10 know
whence comes the birds soul, and whittier
goes it.
There are different theories on the sub.
ject ofins:inct Some consider it special
revelation to each creature; others Believe
j! is founded on traditions handed down
among animals. from generation to genera
ton, and is therefore matter OF education.
Myown observation, two years ago, tends
TO confirm the latter theory. Two barn.
swallows came into our wood-shed in the
spring time. Their busy earnest twit-
terlngs led me at once to suspect that they
were looking out "a building. spot; but as
a carpenter's bench was underline window.
and frequent hammering, saving, and
planning were going on, | had little hope
they would choose a location under our
roof 70 my surprise. however, they
soon began TO build in the crotch ola beam,
over the open doorway. was delighted,
and spent more time watching them, than
"penny-wise' people would have approx
ed Il was, in fact, beautifullitte drama
OF domestic love. The mother bird was
50 busy, and so important; and her mate
was 50 attentive Never did any newly
married couple take more satisfaction
with their FIRST nicely-arranged drawer Of
baby-clothes. than they did in fashioning
their little woven cradle.
The father-bird scarcely ever left the
side of the nest. There he was, all day
long, twitterlng in tones that were most
obviouslythe outpourings oflove. Some
times he would bring in straw, or hair,
to be inwoyen in the precious little fabric.
One day my attention was arrested by a
very unusual twiitering, and | saw him
circling round with large, downy feath-
er 10 his bilk He bent over the unfinish-
ed nest. and offered il to his mate with the
most graceful and loving air ina ginable;
and when she put up her mouth to take it,
he poured forth such .gush of gladstone
sound 1t seemed as if pride and affec-..
tion had swelled his heart till it was al
most too big for his little bosom. The
whole transaction was the pretties piece
of fond coquetrv, on both sides. that it was
ever my good luck to witness.
1t was evident that the father-bird had
formed correct opinions on s,the woman
question !" for during the process of incu-
baton, he volunteered 10 perform his share
Of household duty. Three or four times
a day would he, with coaxing twitterines.
persuade his patient mate 10. fly abroad for
food and tile moment she Jeff the eggs,
he would take the maternal station, and
give loud alarm whenever cat or dog
came about the premises He certainly.
reformed the Office with far less ease and
grace than she did; il was something ia
thestyle ofan ole bachelor tending babe
but nevertheless it showed that his heart
was kind, and his principle correct, con-.
corning division Of labor. When the
young ones came forth, he pursued the
same equa.izing policy, and brought at
least halt the food afor, his greedy lutte
family.
But when they became old enough TO
fly, the yeriest misantnrope would have
laughed TO watch their manGuvresl Such
chirpiug and twitteringl Such diving
down from the nest, and flying up again
Such wheeling round in circles, talking to
young Ones all the while! Such slinging
10 the sides ofthe shed with their sharp
claws, to show the timid litlIe fedgelings
that there was noneed of falling
For three days all this was carried on
with increasing activity. l. was obvious
ly an infant flying school, But all their