THE SWALLOW. 149 



the Pont Neuf, and perhaps from places more remote, 

 to the number of several thousands, flying like a cloud, 

 assembled together, and uttered a cry of pity and alarm. 



" After some hesitation, and a tumultuous counsel," 

 says M. Dupont de Nemours, who observed the whole, 

 " one of them fell upon a device for delivering their 

 companion, communicated it to the rest, and began to 

 put it in execution. Each took his place; all those 

 who were at hand went in turn, as in the sport of run- 

 ning at the ring, and, in passing, struck the thread with 

 their bills. These eff'orts, directed to one point, were 

 continued every second, and even more frequently. 

 Half an hour was passed in this kind of labour before 

 the thread was severed, and the captive restored to 

 liberty. But the flock, only a little diminished, remain- 

 ed until night, chattering continually in a tone which no 

 longer betrayed anxiety, and as if making mutual felici- 

 tations and recitals of their achievement." 



The food of the whole genus of swallows is winged 

 insects, in catching which they are extremely dexterous. 

 When forgetful of the services of these little creatures, 

 let one fact recall them to our minds. There was a 

 time in which the North American colonists supposed 

 that the purple grakle made sad ravages in their maize, 

 and offered a reward for all that were killed. The 



