The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-09-04
'". - - From Chambers Journal.
CUVlER AND THE SWALLOWS.

In his later years the celebrated Cuvier
loved :orecount The incident which first turn.
ed his attention 10 the study Of natural his.
tory. While young, and in want, he was emf
gagged as tutor TO The children Of the Count
de Hericy, and with his pupils inhabited an
old chateau in the Pays du Cans, at Fiquain-
Vile, Cuvier'S room looked towards the
garden, and early each, morning he was ac-
cusIomed TO open his window and breathe the
fresh ali before commencing the instruction
of his somewhat undisciplned pupils. One
morning he, remarked two swallows building
a nest in the outer angle Of his small case
menl. The male bird brought moist clay in
hls beak, which ibehen, rs il were, kneaded
together, and, with the addition Of s,raws and
bits OF hay, formed their future home. OGco
the framework was completed, both birds
hasened 10 line the interior with feathers,
wool nnd dried leaves; and then taking lliah
together into a neighboring wood, they dit
not retur rn 10 their nest uu,il after the Iapse
Of several days. Meantime some impor,an
Ievenls hnd happened While the two sw al
lows were so buslly employed in constructing
their home ,Cuvor had remarSed two sparrow
IpercAed on neighborins chimney, wht
seemed to watch the progress Of affiirs will
much curiosity. The tfeacherous object d
this surveillance speedily became apparent
for no s0oner had The poor swallows left til,
coast clear, than the pair If sparrows tool
possession Of the nest, and established them
selves in il as comfortably as though il ha,
been their own property. Cuvier remarke
that they never absented themselves togethe
from The nest; one always remained on lh
watch, with its sturdy bill protrudeG lhroug
The en,ranre, prepared TO exclude every vls
ilor except lis mate.
i Atihe endOf9the honeymoon tho rtehtfr
& owne,s returned What was their surprise ,
: find their nest pre-. occupied! The cock fe,
+ Indignantly against h's dwelling, to expel tn
+ Iiauuders, but was met by the formIdabI
) beak of he male sparrow, which quickly re
pulsed the unlucky proprietor with 5leedir
head and ruffied feathers. Trembling wit
!. rage and shame and his bright eve iartin
!, fire, he tetnTned to his bride, peFched on
green bough, and seemed for some moment
10 hold an anxious colloquy with her. The
ithev took fliUht toOeihe, ond so,,, a..
no.,ed v " ''sN'''S " '"U 'oo" '''''..D u'''i
I pres.n,lv the hon .,.,,o, ,.,,.noa =
'Iher husband 'bsyan' as Cav;., "on;so,,,.", :"
no Give her an nSim,,cd nccS,0, ~ @ S;s ~ ~
venture, uccompanyinO ,be recital with H. cey ~
AisIn'Y cn,is,,. XIX 20 ~ Ssl.'' wa ee'
lp,ss for derisive laughter. Be that as il ma
4the pr1deot pair did moi waste mnch ,;.no
Icbs'terine hi has,sned ou, i % ,nrns ~" ~ ~
lsct nod Sore m q ona,,,i,v 81 nroais;oOs ~
JTbis aceornDlisbed ,bey bo,h = rsnoon.'J III, I,
,Iin, ana now t,co1 stout beaks were nlscsi % 20,
Iidy 10 defend Ihe eo,rance r,s. T,S rS. ,osasndo
liz tho air. crowds Of swallows % se.sn so. - =.
sem5Je on the roof Cnyier ,ecesni1sd nce ~ -
the midst or Them tl,s sxoeIIed hoasehalde
making their wrongs known ~ sach Zee,
.lerivai. NJ 70 'i'1'' ~ ~ ''''-' wv
Ere long. ,bere were ASSEMBLED y. IL &,
lconelaVe upwards Of ,wo hu,d,ed .w.lioy u
! Willie tsos we're 'cba,,e,;ns u . .,,',a vh ~
IIfuny rivailed Inc ps,(oymsncs. ~ ,n., ~
speakers in more ambi.ions ~ ..sIsh,a,, %
: ,6esiine.. ! CIV u d;.,,a,, -. hsa,d Is" ="
|, one Of the window sIIs. A vo,,no sw.Ilo,
'I1:..IIl ~ ~ ..L.t 4 Il " ~ SFT77s --''~,