The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-04-22

wns one completely bedaubed with filth aud mud
But thanks to the yielding nature of the soil, saved
my bones and only brought away the mischief on my
cont gained my cause too-which is than
can say Of all my undertakings
The company laughed heartily at the ex.awyer's
account OF his expoit-whle the latter hanging his
coat up in the sun, sad that the mud like The old
womnn's grease, would rub off when was dry.
lie continued while longer to follow his occupa-
ton of chair boltoming, when suddenly becoming
ngain he resumed the practice of law, and has,
ever since, preferred laying his opponents their
backs, in legal way, to being laid on his in so
ludicrous manner that above related.
THE TRAVELLING POWER OF ANNA Is.
Some animals, il is we'll known, have remarta-
BILE power of finding heirw way from place an
other Ear distant, and even hit upon some particular
spot which they had formerly known, or TO which
they have attachment, or which they consider as
their home. II Is power which cannot but
der at, seeing that man. his civilized state has not
the least trace of it in his mensll constitution.
Amongst the insect tribes, the bee is remarkable
for the certainty with which twill return after long
days excursion, 10 the particular hive to which it be-
longs This it does, not only in cultivated countries,
sort of special object guide its path. But, indeed,
such aid could be OF service TO the bee in its jour
neys for it's powers of vision extremely defective
The same little creature which will make its way TO
the hive over extensive coun,res will when il ar
rives there, stumble and experience a difficulty in
entering If the aperture for admission hos been in the
least changed. This itself sufficient evidence
that the ourneyng power Of animals does not depend
in amy degree upon the eye-sight
We find DR.. Johnson unhesitangly affirming 10
Boswell that the swallows sleep in winter it was the
belief of remnants and Gilbert White Now it is fully
asceaued that these birds spend the greater part of
their lives in mild climates, Greece and the north
Of Africa About February March they wing their
way to the temperate regions, between the for,icth
and sxteth parallels, for the purpose of breeding
Why it may be asked, should migratory birds not
breed in the countries where they themselves spend
the create, number Of their days' The most plausi-
bic reason has been suggested by Mr. Knapp in his
beautiful book, ''The Journal Of a Naturalist" the
necessity Of peculiarly varied food for the young
such as only temperate climates supply The
impulse to migration is given by the organic changes
id the animals, which lend to their breeding, and
which also the immediate causes of the vernal
singing Of birds. The male birds go first northward,
probably from their first experiencing this peculiar
impulse. On their arriving the place of their des-
tinatlon they express, by their notes. fond impa-
thence for the arrival Of the other sex, which af
Ter takes place. Should the winter be unusually
protracted, the birds warmer latitude, and
do not reappear till good weather has set in
There many instances on record Of particu
lar birds returning the exact spot where they built
,ba hat ha ha Tod
Families residing in country houses familiar with
examples Of certain recognizable swallows coming
year after year, for many ten twelve, TO
build their nests in the angle Of particular window.
AS an example Of this class Of bird anecdotes: MANY
years ago,a garrett window in my house was accden-
tally left open, and pair Of rustic swallows built
their retted among the ralters, at which was
much pleased; and when they had Matched and renr-
ed their young, both their parents finding they We're
!avorites, continued their play about their room all
summer; and always roasted in at night. Before they
departed, although struck me to play them an nno-
cent trick One night shut the window sash, and
took them all in anglers landng-net, and fastened
around their necs, without hurting them in the least,
rings made OF very fine wire that laps the lower
string of volincelIo. At this they took no offence,
but played about till their departure The following
spring the window was carefully set open Tor their
admission, and they accordingy,'aiter the dali
rods had taken the winds Of March with beauty;and
to my great delight four had rings. One par reoccu-
pied the old nest; and another pair, or more bnlt IN
the room. '.
There is an authentic story Of redstart returning
for sixteen years to build in the same garden' Birds
have ever been known return in the spring to pla
ces where in the preceding year they have been con-
fined, and quietly submit to a new captivity.
Birds in their periodical migrations, generally Fly
in large gocks They are seen to assemble on the