from the moment my windows were opened in the morning till near ten o'clock, and from five On the o'clock in the evening till near seven. morning of the 12th, the male made twenty-nine journeys to my room, and in the evening only seventeen. He gave great assistance to the female in trampling down and pressing the cotton with his body, in order to make it into a sort of feltwork.

"When the male arrived with parcels of moss and cotton, he deposited his load either on the edge of the nest, or upon branches within the reach of the female. He made four or five trips of this kind without interruption, and then set about helping his mate in the execution of her work.

This agreeable occupation was often interrupted by innocent and playful gambols, though the female appeared so actively and anxiously employed about her building as to have less relish for trifling than the male; and she even punished him for his frolics, by pecking him well with her beak. He, on the other hand, fought in his turn, pecked, pulled down the work which they had done, prevented the female from continuing her labors, and, in a word, seemed to tell her, You refuse to be my playmate on account of this work, It will scarcely therefore you shall not do it!'

be credited, that, entirely from what I saw and knew respecting these little altercations, I was both surprised and angry at the female. In order, however, to save the fabric from spoliation, she left off working, and fled from bush to bush for the express purpose of teasing him. Soon afterward, having made matters up again, the female returned to her labor, and the male sung during several minutes in the most animated strains. After his song was concluded, he began again to Occupy himself with the work, and with fresh ardor carried such materials as his companion required, till the spirit of frolic became again buoyant, and a scene similar to that which I have just described recurred. I have witnessed eight interruptions of this kind in one morning. How happy birds are! They are certainly the privileged creatures of nature, thus to work and sport alternately as fancy prompts them.

"On the third day the birds began to rear the side walls of the nest, after having rendered the bottom compact by repeatedly pressing the materials with their breasts, and turning themselves They first round upon them in all directions.

formed a plain border, which they afterwards trimmed, and upon this they piled up tufts of cotton, which was felted into the structure by beating and pressing with their breasts and the shoulders of their wings, taking care to arrange any projecting corner with their beaks so as to interlace it into the tissue and render it more firm. The contiguous branches of the bush were enveloped, as the work proceeded, in the side walls, but without deranging the circular cavity of the interior. This part of the nest required many materials, so that I was quite astonished at the quantity which they used.

"On the seventh day their task was finished; and, anxious to examine the interior, I determined to introduce my finger, when I felt an egg that had probably been laid that morning, for on the

previous evening I could see no egg in it, as it was which not quite covered in. This beautiful edifice, was as white as snow, was nine inches in height on the outside, while on the inside it was not more than five. Its external form was very irregular, on account of the branches which it had been found necessary to enclose: but the inside exactly resembled a pullet's egg placed with the small end upward. Its greatest diameter was five inches, and the smallest four. The entrance was two thirds of the whole height, as seen on the outside; but within, it almost reached the arch of the ceiling above.

"The interior of this nest was so neatly worked and felted together, that it might have been taken for a piece of fine cloth a little worn, the tissue being so compact and close that it would have been impossible to detach a particle of the materials without tearing the texture to pieces; yet was this only effected by the process which I have already described; and it must be confessed that it was a work truly admirable, considering the instruments of the little mechanics."

This bird is so common in our country, that it ought to be better known than it is to most persons, especially as it is, without reason, an object of dread to many. There are causes for the general ignorance we find prevailing, of its nature and habits. It flies very swiftly, and only at night, hiding during the day in such inaccessible or obscure retreats, that we very seldom find an opportunity to capture it, or to observe it at our leisure. When discoverd at rest, as it now and then is in our houses, when it has entered by a door or window left open for the air on a summer evening, its appearanc is so altered from th t which it presents in flight, that it seems as if it must have undergone some strange transformation. It then looks more like a mouse dressed

in black gauze and whalebone than a bird. When found lying on the ground it is motionless, or shows life only by opening its little red mouth, and uttering a spiteful, squeaking noise, with an attempt to bite, when touched. If picked up, or thrown a little upward, it instantly resumes its former character, and flies off like a shadow. Hence the bat has gained a reputation of its own, and is regarded by common people with feelings of disgust and fear, quite different from those excited by any other of the tenants of the air. Mystery, the natural product of ignorance, leads many, we fear, to entertain a superstitious dread of this little animal, which is almost destitute of all means of inflicting the slightest injury. It has some little sharp teeth, it is true; but it has no disposition to use them to our injury, except in self-defence, when so placed as to be unable to escape. Even then, we must take pains to put our fingers almost into its very mouth, or it cannot reach us to do any harm. It is therefore never without our own agency, never until we become his assailant or approach him as one, that we are exposed to have

even

our skin punctured by his lit le needlelike teeth. All the stories ever told to frighten girls, about the mischievous bats loving to entangle themselves in long hair are wholly without foundation; and every shriek ever uttered in a play-room, as the dusky intruder brushed swiftly by have been thrown away. A few remarks in explanation of the nature and habits. of this singular animal.

The bat is not a bird; but we hear it has wings and flies, and what else is necessary to make a bird? Several things: otherwise a flying-fish must also be claimed as one. It has no feathers, lays no eggs; and, what is considered of greater importance by scientific men, it resembles the four-footed animals much more than bipeds in the structure of its body. It is properly a quadruped, difering from most others of that great division of the animal kingdom chiefly in having very long fingers and arms, with abundance of skin between, which, stretched out, forms a kind of wings, which it uses with great rapidity and skill.

At the same time, the legs are not at all adapted to walking. The animal has no power to take a step upon the ground, or even to raise itself enough to get its wings in motion. The only way in which

it can move on a level surface, is by catching one of the hooks with which its thumbs are furnished, to a stick, stone, or other projecting object, and then drawing itself slowly forward, until it gets upon some little elevated spot, or tumbles down a steep declivity, and thus finds room to spread its wings. Aware of this difficulty, the bat never willingly alights on the level ground or upon a floor, but either rests upon some narrow and elevated spot, or hangs itself to something high by one of its little hooks, so that it can drop when it pleases, and spread its wings while in the act of falling.

We have several times listened to amusing descriptions given of the bats which inhabit the first portions of the celebrated Kentucky Cave, by eye witnesses. After a visiter has proceeded about a quater of a mile, (if we recollect the distance correctly,)he finds the air filled with multitudes of bats darting by and almost concealing the light of his torch. They have their roosting places, and perhaps their nests also, near the roof and may often be seen hanging from the top and sides in clusters and festoons, taking their rest. When disturbed by the noise or the smoke they let go their hold, and fly apout in a perfect cloud. After passing about a quarter of mile further, they disappear and give no more annoyance. It would seem that they prefer the parts of the cavern where the fewest rays of light are found, but do not like total darkness.

It is commonly supposed, that bats cannot see in the light, and that they fly about our lighted rooms without perceiving anything. Yet they do not tonch the walls or the windows, but avoid them with the greatest care. This fact has excited the curiosity of observers, and led to many experiments which have brought to our knowledge some very wonderful facts. Strings were hung from different parts of the ceiling of a room, and it was found that bats, in flying across it many times, never failed to avoid them all. The animals were then blinded, and the experiment repeated with the same success. Nets were then suspended, which they avoided; and, when holes were torn in them of sufficient size to permit their sage, they would dart through without hitting the sides or hesitating an instant in their rapid course. For this wonderful fact no satisfactory explanation can be

pas

given. The wings of the bat are broad and delicate, being thin and filled with nerves, which doubtless render them highly sensible. Air, it is well known, is checked and thrown back by meeting Currents form obstacles when in motion. Streams of water counter currents. have eddies, which boatmen and seamen are often able to make allowances for with great precision, even in the darkest night. But is it to be imagined, that a feel bat, blinded and on the wing, can any change in the motion of the air, that may be caused by mere threads suspended before him? Such however is declared to be the fact, by respectable authority.

Embassy to China.

A brief account of Mr. Cushing's travels is given in the True Sun.

At Bombay, Mr. Cushing was the guest of Sir George Authur, a former Governor of Upper Canada. During the period of his brief stay, he found time in company with Mr. Fletcher Webster, and Mr. O'Donnell, an attache of the Legation, to make an interesting excursion into the Mahratta country-one which pleased them far more than they could possibly have anticipated.

The jour

ney was made partly in coaches and partly in palankins. They went as far as Poonah, situated in the south-western part of the Deccan, in Central India, and formerly the capital of the Mahrattas. It is somewhat celebrated for having been captured in 1803, by Sir Authur Wellesley and the Iron Duke." Here the travellers saw the largest cantonments of English troops in India, and attended a grand review, where the American Minister reThey also ceived the highest military honors. visited a celebrated Brahmin temple, being carried there on the backs of the sacred elephants, and escorted by the English Political Resident, Mr. Warden, who is favorably known to many of our countrymen, after whom he inquired with great interest.

Mr. Cushing remained in China exactly six months to a day, and during the whole period was constantly engaged in promoting the objects of his mission. By the non arrival of the St. Louis sloop of war, which lay, very singularly, a long time at the Cape, and through the continued obstacle of the northern monsoon, he was under the necessity of remaining at Macao until the Imperial Government actually anticipated his movements by despatching a commission to him. consisted of Tsi Yeng, an imperial delegate and plenipotentiary-Wang, treasurer of the provinces of the two Kwangs, and Pawn Pawn, another high dignitary of state.

It

Tsi Yeng is a Tartar of the imperial blood, and the same person who negotiated with Sir Henry Pottinger. His name we might as well instatehas been erroneously spelled Kying in the English newspapers. This person seemed to have the full confidence of his sovereign, as he was

appointed, with all the powers of a plenipotentiary, To negotiate with the French and American Legations, as soon as they arrived.

For two weeks the two Commissioners were employed, day and night, with the exception of their meal-times and a few hours given to repose, in discussing and arranging the various questions in controversy between the two Governments, and in negotiating the treaty now before the Senate of the United States. It was at last agreed upon and drawn up in Chinese and English, but finally prepared in the Tartar dialect, which is the language of the Emperor.

It was signed at ten o'clock at night, on the 3d of July last, in the Sanctuary of a Temple, from which both the priests and their idols had been previously displaced, without the slightest hesitation, to make room for the Commissioner and his suite. This circumstance confirms the opinion entertained by many residents in China, that, at the Imperial Court, there is no particular regard to any religion.

Foreign Travels-Gibraltar.
No. 1.

It was with feelings of awe that I surveyed the Rock of Gibraltar, as I approached it in the ship's jolly boat, rowed by two of the sailors. The morning sky was clear, and spread a bright glow above the immense mountain, which still shut out the sun from our view, several hours after it had risen. The water of the whole bay over which we were gliding, was as smooth as glass, and so clear that the captain who was with us, pointed at cannon balls and broken bomb-shells which almost pave the bottom, and had chafed his cables as he lay at anchor.

The roofs of the houses and towers of churches were seen over the sea wall, which presented a row of embrasures and cannon three miles long, from the awful precipice on the left, to Europa Point on the right. We landed at the Mole, among crowds of English, Genoese, and Barbary sailors and boatmen, Spanish smugglers and men of several other nations, scrambing a get themselves or their various goods, wares and merchandize into their boats or out of them.

Near by was the great wall of Gibraltar, which has resisted the most awiul bombardment and cannonade recorded in history. It consists of numerous forts and castles, rising from broad and deep trenches, and connected by short walls, which run in zigzags here and there, up to the face of precipices of fearful height, and reaching to the vast ruin called the Moorish Castle, built in 711. Every platform thus afforded, is crowned with heavy cannon; and batteries stretch along in many places, facing the only line of approach, sometimes with two and even three rows of artillery pointing at the solitary pedestrian, returning from Spain, and walking over light drawbridges which cross the ditches and the Inundation.

But this is nothing to what you see above, and which I soon visited, I mean the famous excavations.

New Discovery in South America.

The National Intelligencer contains a long letter from Mr. Picket, at Lima, commenting upon discoveries of very extraordinary ruins, said to have been found by Judge Neito, in the province of Chachapovas, while on an exploring expedition. In making a survey of the country, he found at Ceulap, a building of a most extraordinary character, which he describes as a wall of hewn stone 560 feet in width, 3,600 in length, and 150 feet high.

This edifice, being solid in the interior for the whole space, contained within 5,396,907 feet of circumference, which it has, to the before mentioned height of 150 feet, is solid and levelled, and upon it there is another wall of 300,000 feet in circumference in this form, 600 feet in length and 500 in breadth, with the same elevation (150) of the lower wall and like it, solid and levelled to the summit. In this elevation, and also in that of the lower wall are a great many habitations or rooms of the same hewn stone, 18 feet long and 15 feet wide, and in these rooms, as well as between the dividing walls of the great wall, are found neatly constructed ditches, a

Anica. His dress was very becoming-all blue. The cut shows it correctly, and also the dress of a Moorish lady.

yard or two thirds in length, and a half a yard broad and deep, in which are found bones of the ancient dead, some naked and some in cotton shrouds or blankets of very firm texture, though coarse, and worked with boarders of different colors. If this description is authentic-and we have no reason to doubt it-this building must be the greatest building in the world in point of size. We know of nothing in Egypt or Persia equal to it. From the description it must have been a vast tomb, but whether erected by the Indians, before the Spanish discovery, or by remote generations, cannot be decided; yet the Judge says that the ingenious and highly wrought specimens of workmanship, the elegance of the cutting of some of the hardest stone, the ingenuity and solidity of the gigantic work, all in stone, the elegant articles of gold and silver, and the curious wrought stones found in the mounds, all satisfy him that the territory was occupied by an enlightened nation, which declined in the same manner as others more modern; as Babylon, Baalbec, and the cities of Syria; and this he says is evidently the work of people from the old world, as the Indians had no instruments of iron to work with.

T

It is a curious fact in ornithology, that several sorts of hawks are so confined by their nature to particular species of food, as to be most appropriately named after the birds on which they prey. This is the case with the hen-hawk, the pigeon-hawk, and the sparrow-hawk. There is another which lives on fish, and, for the like reason, is known as the fish-hawk. This is probably the most in favour, or regarded with the least hostility of all the hawkspartly because we feel less compassion for fish than for birds, especially domestic fowls-and partly because, by his wonderful powers of discovering and taking his captives from their native element, he excites our wonder and admiration. After all the acute observations of science, it is still an unsolved problem, how can the fish-hawk first perceive, and then seize the inhabitants of the watery world? Yet, while we are expressing our astonishment, or forming our theories to account for it, very season he is watching from his lofty s ation, and now and then folding his wings closely against his sides, and dropping like lightning at his unsuspecting victim, with an aim which but seldom misses its mark..

The accompanying cut presents us with a scene of no uncommon occurrence on some parts of our sea-coast and rivers, where the fish-hawk and white-headed

eagle are found together. It has been copied from one of Wilson's animated descriptions, which we shall give below, after introducing a few of the most important points in the nature and habits of the bird, chiefly drawn from the work of that delightful author.

The fish-hawk, (Falco Haliætus.) called by Latham the Carolina Osprey, is 22 inches in length. and measures 5 feet and 3 inches in extent-that is across the spread wings from tip to tip. The bill is deep black, head chiefly white, neck and upper parts deep brown, edges of the feathers lighter, shafts of the wing-quills brownish white, tail rather paler brown than the body, crossed with eight dark bars-whole lower parts pure white, except the thighs, which are striped in front, with other minute markings particularized by Wilson. The legs and feet are of a light blue, very large, and "prodigiously strong," covered with rough scales, like all other birds of prey; his toes are like fingers, grasping with great powerand the claws are long, smooth and sharp, and bent in complete semicircles. The oil bag, which lubricates the feathers to make them water-proof, is uncommonly large.

The bald buzzard of Europe is either the same bird, or one very much like it, In this country, fish-hawks are probably