234- NATURAL HISTORY READER. 



While the two swallows were so busily employed in con- 

 structing their home, Cuvier had remarked two sparrows 

 perched on a neighboring chimney, who seemed to watch 

 the progress of affairs with much curiosity. The treach- 

 erous object of this surveillance speedily became apparent, 

 for no sooner had the poor swallows left the coast clear 

 than the pair of sparrows took possession of the nest, and 

 established themselves in it as comfortably as though it had 

 been their own property. Cuvier remarked that they 

 never absented themselves together from the nest ; one 

 always remained on the watch, with its sturdy bill pro- 

 truded through the entrance, prepared to exclude every 

 visitor except its mate. 



3. At the end of the honeymoon the rightful owners 

 returned. What was their surprise to find their nest pre- 

 occupied ! The cock flew indignantly against his dwelling, 

 to expel the intruders, but was met by the formidable beak 

 of the male sparrow, which quickly repvdsed the unlucky 

 proprietor with a bleeding head and ruffled feathers. 

 Trembling with rage and shame, and his bright eye dart- 

 ing fire, he returned to his bride, perched on a green bough, 

 and seemed for some moments to hold an anxious colloquy 

 with her. Then they took flight together, and soon disap- 

 peared. 



4. Presently the hen-sparrow returned, and her hus- 

 band began, as Cuvier conjectured, to give her an animated 

 account of his adventure, accompanying the recital witli 

 certain curious little cries, which might well pass for de- 

 risive laughter. Be that as it may, the prudent pair did 

 not waste much time in chattering, but hastened out in 

 turns to collect and store up a quantity of pro visions. 

 This accomplished, they both remained within, and now 

 two stout beaks w r ere placed ready to defend the entrance. 

 Cries resounded in the air ; crowds of swallows began to 

 assemble on the roof. Cuvier recognized in the midst of 



