Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-07-18
miscellaneous.
From Chambers' Edinburg Journal.
Cuvier and the Swallows.

In his later years the celebrated Cuyie
loved to recount the incident which frs
turned his attention to the study of nature
history. While young, and in want, b,
was engaged as tutor to the children of thu
Count de Hericy. and with his pupils inhab
tied an old chateau in the Pays de Caus Al
Fiquainville. Cuvier's room looked toward.
the garden, and early each morning he wa.
accustomed to open bis window and breathe
the fresh air before commencing the in.
struction Of his somewhat undiscipIined
pupils. One morning he remarked two
swallows building nest in the outer angle
of his small easement. The mail bird bro,
moist clay in his beak, which the hen. as il
we're, kneaded together, and with the addi-
ton Of straws and bits Of hay, formed their
future home. Once the framework was
completed, both birds fastened to line the
interior with feathers, wool, and dried leaves
and then taking flight together into a
neighboring wood, they did not return to
their nest until after the lapse of several
days. Meantime some important events
had happened. While the two swallows
were so busily employed in constructing
their home, Culver had remarked two spar.
rows perched on ncighboring chimney,
who seemed TO watch the progress of affairs
with much curiosity. The treacherous OBJ
ject Of this surveillance speedily became
apparent; for no sooner had the poor swal-
lows left the coast clear, than the pair Of
sparrows took possession Of the nest, and
established themselves in it as comfortably
as though it bad been their own property
Cuvier remarked that they never absented
themselves together from the nest; one al
ways remained on the watch, with its stur-
dy bill protruded through the entrance, pre-
pared to exclude every visitor except its
mate
At the end of the honeymoon the right
full owners returned. What was their sur
prise TO find their nest preoccupiedf The
cock few Indignantly against his dwelling.
to expel the intruders, but was met By the
formidable beak Of the male sparrow, which
quickly repulsed the unIucky proprietor
with . bleeding head and ruffled feathers
Trembling with rage aud shame, and his
bright eye darling Gre, he returned to his
bride, Perched on'a green bough, and seem
ed for some moments to hold an anxious
coiioquy with her. Then they took flight
apd soon disappeared,
Presently the hen-sparrow returned, and
her husband began as Culver coniectured,
10 give her IN animated account Of his ad-
venture, accompanying the recital with GER
tain curious little cries, which might well
pass for derisive laughter. Be that as It
may. the prudent pair did not waste much
lime in chattering. but fastened out in
turns 10 collect and store up quantity Of
provisions. This accomplished, they both
within, and now tsoo stout besks
were placed ready to defend the entrance.
Cries resounded in the air; crowds oil
swallows began to assemble ON the roof
Cuvier recognized in the midsi Of them the
Expelled hoaseholders making their wrongs
known to each fresh arrival. 81
Ere long, there were assembled in fall
conclave upwards Of two hundred swallows.
While they were chattering in = style that
fully risaIled the performances Of many
lpeekesa in more ambitions and celebrased
ussliegs, esy.of distress was heard from
me ufsbe wi11saktilIs. A Young swallow.
laed no161te Of tie lcpg pasiisnentlry
aebaas, hdd betAken himself 10 Tie parooji
y sotpe ties Who we're barking sboal -
1indov. Cavier's pupils I'D piseed : seaes
= ~ ~ snd<ke .poos lillD ~ 80
- - - am1sg ~ oneenalcd !. =
- 4 a. -