CHAPTER LVIII 



GABBIER-PIGEONS 



RESUMING the subject of bird instinct as illus- 

 trated by the migratory flock's unerring pre- 

 cision in finding its way over thousands of miles to 

 a desired nesting-place, Uncle Paul continued as fol- 

 lows: 



"How is it that so many thousands, even millions, 

 of migrating birds can direct their course through 

 trackless space each to the particular rock or tree 

 or nest left behind six months before, when the yearly 

 removal was decided upon to some southern region a 

 thousand miles or more distant? How, for example, 

 does the frail swallow manage to find again, at the 

 return of spring, its tiny abode in the north when 

 it retraces the long journey of the previous autumn? 

 In order that we may be sure it is the same swallow 

 returned to the same nest we tie a colored string, 

 as I have said, around the bird's claw; and, lo and 

 behold, when April comes, with it comes our swallow 

 to its dwelling under the eaves. It is indeed our 

 identical bird and no other; it is the very one that 

 fashioned the nest of clay, cherished bit of private 

 property now so eagerly taken possession of once 

 more. The owner's demonstrations of satisfaction 

 and delight are convincing proof, even were the bit 

 of red thread not there to dispel all doubt. 



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