The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-08-29

10 expiate their crime by lingering death, but
they were forced during their torments, 10 listen
TO the joyful song Of the two swallows, the cause
OF their execution. During many days the hen
rarely quilted tie nest she had laid six eggs, and
while she was Matching them her mate supplied
her with insects for food At the end OF fort
night Cuvier remarked that the cock was very
busy all day in bringing an enormous quantity OF
insects 10 his household: and looking into the
nest saw six little yellow bills all gaping wide
for food From that time it became constant
source OF pleasure to the tntor, to watch the pro-
gressise development Of the little family. Their
yellow beaks became black and shining, their
downy bodies were covered with smooth and
elegant plumage, and they began 70 accompany
thtlr mother IN her short excursions from the
nest. The cock taught his children how 10 seize
their prey in the air; how to fly high when the
atmosphere was calm; ami the flies disported
themselves in the upper regions; and how to
keep near The ground when storm was APP
preaching; for then all insects seek shelter.
Thus passed the summer, and autumn came
Crowds Of swallows once more assembled OH the
roof Of the Chateau de Fiqnainville. They held
regular conversations, and Guvier amused himself
In trying 70 interpret their language The chill
dren OF the nest were placed in the midst of the
troop with the other young swallows; and one
morning, the whole assembly took fight simulta-
neoGsly, and directed their course towards the
lean, and with ruffed feathers, came and took
possession OF the nest. Cavier Immediately re-
cognized them; they were the identical birds
that he had watched with so much interest during
the preceding year. Tney began 10 repair their
dwelling, and to stop the chnks produced by the
winters frost they refined The interior with soft
dried moss and feathers, and then as the previous
season, set out for an excursion.
The morning after their return. as thev were
pypv r! fo
dow, for now they " ere quite tame and accustom-
cd to his presence, hawk that was soaring in
the air pounced suddenly upon the cock He
struck him with his talons, and was bearing him
off, when Cueer fired at him with a iowling
piece which happened luckily to be at hand
The brsand fell into the garden mortnlIy wound
ed, and Cnvier hastened 10 relieve bis loor little
friend. The swallow was seriously wounded;
the hawks tallons had deeply pierced his sides,
and grain or two Of shot had .razed his B. east
and broken one wing. The kind young man
dressed the wounds with all possible care and
tenderness, and then, with the assistance OF lad
der. replaced him in his nest, while the poor he
fiu'tered sadly Mound her mate, uttering pieir-
ing cries of distress During three days she only
Quilted the nest 70 seek for insects, which she
brought TO her mate. Cnv.r watched his little
little langnishng head ieehly raised 10 take tie
Offered food. bat each day his strength psih'y
declined A. length early morning. Cnvier
was awakened by the cries o. the hem who was
beating her wings against the window; he ran TO
the nest, Alas! i only .cantaavsbea iifffd pIhed
Wav. She never leit the nest. refused the food
which Cuvier constantly offered her, and literally
broken hearted. expired five days after the death
OF her beloved companion.
This little history left strong impression OH
the amiable and gifted mind Of the young tutor.
II led him to devote his leisure hours TO the in
teresting siniy Of natural history; and many
months afterwards, he related the anecdote 10 the
bbe Tessier, who was paving visit at the cha
team. Revolutionary persecution had Obliged this
man 10 take refuge in Normandy,
and accept the situation Of physician to the hos
pital OF Fecamp. Struck with the evident talent
of Cuvier, he engaged him TO deliver course Of
lectures on natural history to the pupil, attend
ing his hospital; and wrote TO introduce him to
the notice OF Jnssieu and Geoffoy-Saint-t -tiilaire.
Cnvier entered into correspondence wi these
and with other scientific men; and, after some
time passed in profound study, he wns appoin ed
70 I'll the chair of comparative anatomy at Paris.
The remainder oi his glorious career IS matter OF
history