crossbill’s story. 
159 
was of a greater power, and gave their per- 
sonal observations of a single glass, in many 
instances,, knocking a man down, — a fact 
never yet put upon record with relation to 
water. A compromise was at length effected 
between the two factions, and, by general con- 
sent, a mixture of the two liquids was consid- 
ered best for all practical purposes. 
When this very important question was 
settled to the satisfaction of all parties, the 
attention of the meeting was directed to my 
master, who arose coolly from his seat, and re- 
marked that he had brought for the inspection 
of the society a fine specimen of the Crossbill, 
and he would like to have the members give 
their attention for a moment to the phenome- 
non of its peculiar bill. He then gave the 
most absurd explanation of my habits and 
food, and, after ventilating some of the most 
outrageous doctrines, concluded by saying, 
^ And now, gentlemen, having given toy views 
on this extraordinary malformation, I should 
like to have yours ; not, of course, believing 
that you can advance any thing that will affect 
