Connecticut western news., 1877-06-01
Architecture Of Birds.


 Birds, like savage men, build with the material which comes readiest to hand. The kingfisher uses the fishbones which are the remnants of it's feast; roots and flores line the nest of the field-haunting rock; while it's cousin. the crow, which frequents warren and sheep-walk, finds suitable material in fur and wool. A nest of chat-finch taken in the neighborhood of house, was shown at meeting of the Geological Society, which had been partly con- structed out of plotting paper, frag- ments of visiting cards, and notices from crackers and naturalist of emil hence stated that he knew of more than one instance of nest being built with the wires from soda-water bottles. The tools, moreover, as well as the material, determine the architecture of birds. The delicately woven nest of the wren is associated with long legs and slen- der beak, while the pigeon, heavy in body but weak of foot and bill, contents itself with merely arranging sticks on a well-chosen branch but the fern-owl, with far clumsier tools, must perforce lay eggs on the bare ground.
 It appears that there is natural law which connects, or correlates, the mode of nest building with the color of the female bird. When the nest conceals the sitting bird, as rule, both sexes are adorned with gay colors, but when fho Ia ir1 ic yUh O the female is obscure in hue, the nest is open, so as to expose the sitting bird in view. As color is more variable than structure or habit, it is generally the character which has been modified, though sometimes the modification of the nest and of the color act and react on one e'another. The end of all this is the preservation of the female, upon whose safety the future well-being of the young depends. This "protective resemblance" is not confined to birds, for it may be witnessed in insects and other animals.
 A bird builder who constructs not for mere coquetry, but for the more serious business of life, is the red-breast horn bill. Specimens of this bird are to be seen in the Geological Gardens, but as far as we know, it has never exhibited it's peculiar powers as nest builder there. In fact the female can scarcely be said to build, but to be built up. Its nest is generally constructed in the hollow of a tree, and immediately the SoI oPf ,1o% Aho o1n bird deliberately sets to work to wall up the aperture in the tree, leaving the female bird only small slit through which it can receive air and nourish- ment, which the male bird supplies. In this confinement it remains until the the young birds are fit to take wing, when the opening is broken away by the powerful beak of the lord and mas ter, and his mate and young ones liber- ated. Mir. Wood, the naturalist, says that the horn-bills of Africa and Amer ica behave in this particular in exactly the same manner, although they are widely distinct in the geological sys- tenn.
 
 Stars.
 There were sundry mysterious winks exchanged across the heavens one bright winter night, for it had been whispered among the Celestials that the Seven Sisters were to give grand soiree that evening, which all the con- stellations were expected to attend. Aurora Borealis had been engaged to light the halls for the occasion, and were flashing in all the splendor when the guests began to arrive. First came Cassiopea, in the regal chair, attended by her beautiful daughter Andromeda. Then Orion appeared; he had evidently taken more than usual pains in arrang- ing his sword and belt, for it was sur missed that he was flirting little with Virgo. He had rivals, however, in Castor and Pollux, who soon came in escorting her ladyship. She was quite pale with fright, occasioned by terri ble growl from Leo as she passed his lair. Had not Aquarius come at the time with his water urn she would not have been able to join the circle.
 
 Mars looked fierce and warlike as usual, but gave many tender glance at Venus, who was acknowledged the star of the evening.
 Jupiter was attended by all his satel- lites, but Mercury sent polite note saying he was afraid to venture so far from the sun, for fear of taking cold. Earth was there, but appeared quite bashful with only one attendant; the the great bear was chained to the North Pole that he might not disturb the com- pany. The Eagle came flying down the milky way to grace the scene with his presence. All acknowledged that this was the most brilliant assembly of the season.
 Soon a collation. was proposed, and after slipping few goblets of nectar, the partners were chosen and all began to move in the magic mazes to the music of the spheres.
 And Jupiter, Juno and General Mars, with Venus and Saturn, danced round the fixed stars.
 When the sisters were weary
 They rose to the sun,
 And blew out their candles
 And spoiled all their fun.
 -&O&
 NelsOn's Appreciation of Himself.
 The murder of Prince Caracciolo and