Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-08-08
VOLUME VII. NO. 80.

IohSe 10 the uSuIpeu nest, inc tutor renamed
motloness, and the two sparrows never once
stirred their threatening protruded beaks
Suddenly and swift as thought, flew host
of swallows against the nest each had his bill
filled with mud, which he discharged against the
entrance, and then gave place to another who
repented the same manevre This they mana
ged TO accomplish while two inches distant from
the nest 81 as to keep out of reach of the be-
leagured sparrows. Indeed, the latter were so
etfectuay blinded by the first discharge of mud,
that they no longer thought of defending them
selves. Meantime the swallows continued to
heap mud on the nest, until it was completely
covered; the opening would have been quite
clicked up but for the desperate efforts made by
the sparrows-who by several conclusive shocks
contrved to shake off some of the pellets. But
a deratchment of the lmplacabe swallows perch
on the nest, and with their beaks and claws
smoothed and pressed down the tough clay over
the opening, and at length succeeded in closing
it hermetrically. Then were heard, from hun.
dreds of little throats, cries of vengeance and of
victory
But the swallows did not end their work here.
They fastened to bring from all directions mate
rails for second nest, which they constructed
over the blocked-up entrance of the first one
and in two hours after the execution of the
sparrows, the new nest was inhabited by the e.
jected swallows.
The lnexorabe vengeance was now complet-
ed. Not only were the unfortunate sparrows
doomed 10 expiate their crime by lingering
death, but they were forced during their tor
ments TO listen to the joyful song Of the two
swallows, the cause of their execution. During
many days the hen rarely quilted her nest; she
had laid six eggs, and while she was Matching
them her nate supplied her with insects for iood.
At the end of fortnight, Cuvler remarked that
the cock was busy all day, in bringing an enor-
nous quantity of insects to his household; and
looking INTO the nest he saw six little yellow
bills, all gaping wide for food. From that time
it became a constant source of pleasure to the
tutor to watch the progressive 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 to accompany their mother in her
short excursions from the nest, The cock
taught his children how to seize their prey in the
h air. how to fly high when the atmosphere was
q calm, and the flies disported themselves in the
4 upper regions and how TO keep near the grouut
: when a storm was approaching for then nli in
n Thus passed the summer, and autumn came
g Crowds of swallows once more assembled OF
e the roof of the Chateau de FIquainvilIe. They
e held regular conversations, and Cuvier amused
g himself with trying to translate their language.
e The children of the nest were placed in the
r midst of the troop with other young swallows
and one morning the whole assembly took flight
r simultaneously, and directed their course to-
/ ward. the east In the following spring, two
swallows, lean, and with ruffied feathers, came
, and took possession of the nest. Cuvier imme-
: diately recognized them; they were the inden-
tical birds whom he had watched with SO much
, interest the preceding year. They began to re-
3 pair their dwelling, and to stop the chinks pro-
| duced by the winters frost they refined the
interior with soft dried feathers, and then set out
: for an excursion.
r The morning after their return, as they were
n gaily pursuing their prey close to Cuvler's win
, dow-for they were now quite tame, and accus-
Y toned to his presence hawk that was soaring
: in the AIR pounced suddenly on the cock. He
= struck him with bis talons, and was bearing him
: off when Cuvier fired at him with q iowling-
= piece, which happened luckily TO be a. hand
: The brigand fell into The Fundamentally wound
ed, and Cuvier fastened to relieve his poor
i little friend. The swallow was seriously
o wounded; the hawks talons had deeply entered
: his sides, and grain or two OF shot had gazed
: his breast, and broken one wing. The kind
# young man dressed the wounds with all possible
g care and tenderness, and then, with the assist
d ance of ladder, replaced him in his nest, while
d the poor hen futtered sadly round her mate, ut.
: tering piercing cries of distress. During three
d days she only quilted the nest to seek for in
8 sects, which she brought to the cock. CaVieI
- watched his poor little languishing head feebly
raised TO take the offered food, but each day his
r strength visby declined. AT length, early one
, morning, Cuver was awakened by the cries of
the hen, who was beating her wings against the
. window he ran to the nest. Alas it only con-
: tgined lifeless body! From that moment the
r hen dropped and pined away. She never left
: the nest, refused the food which Cuver constant
ly offered her, and, literally broken hearted, ex-
: PRED five days after the death Of her beloved
] companion.
The little history lefta strong impression on
) the amiable and gifted mind of the young tltor
: 1t led him to devote his leisure hours to the
perseverng study of natural history; and sever
4 al months afterwards he related the anecdote to
the Able Tessier, who was paying visit to the
= chateau. Revolutionary persecution had obig"
. ed this distinguished man to take refuge IN
: Normanda and accept the situation OF phIslcl-
E an to the hospital of FecNmp. Struck with the
f evident talent of Cuyier, he engaged h'm TO de-
+ liver course of lectures on natural history 10
, the nupils attending his hospital; and wrote to
, introduce him to the notice OF Jussleu ana
Ceff,ov. Saint Harie. Cuver entered into cor
rosnondence with these and other scientific men
4 and after some time passed in profound study,
j he was appointed to fill the chairof comparative
anatomy at Paris The remainder of his glori-
. ous career is matter of history.
4 ----------
D In China Physicians are always under pay
: except when their patrons are sick, then their