It is the sparrows sitting on the wires , who receive the electric shock , and , being hollow-boned , the news go straight to their heads ; they then fly about , chirping it on the housetops , and the air carries it everywhere . That 's the way rumours rise and news spread . ' ` If you 'll allow , I 'll make a note of that interesting fact , ' said I , wondering if I might believe him . He appeared to fall into a reverie while I jotted down the sparrow story , and it occurred to me that perhaps I ought to offer my distinguished guest some refreshment ; but , when I modestly alluded to it , he said , with an aldermanic air , ` No , thank you ; I 've just dined at the Parker House . ' Now , I really could not swallow that ; and so plainly betrayed my incredulity , that the eagle explained . ` The savoury smells which rise to my nostrils from that excellent hotel , with an occasional sniff from the Tremont , are quite sufficient to satisfy my appetite ; for , having no stomach , I do n't need much food , and I drink nothing but water . ' ' I wish others would follow your example in that latter habit , ' said I , respectfully , for I was beginning to see that there was something in my bird , though he was hollow . ` Will you allow me to ask if the other statues in the city fly by night ? ' ` They promenade in the parks ; and occasionally have social gatherings , when they discuss politics , education , medicine , or any of the subjects in which they are interested . Ah ! we have grand times when you are all asleep . It quite repays me for being obliged to make an owl of myself . ' ` Do the statues come from the shops to these parties ? ' I asked , resolving to take a late walk the next moonlight night . ` Sometimes ; but they get lazy and delicate , living in close , warm places . We laugh at cold and bad weather , and are so strong and hearty that I should n't be surprised if I saw Webster and Everett flying round the Common on the new-fashioned velocipedes , for they believed in exercise . Goethe and Schiller often step over from De Vries 's window , to flirt with the goddesses , who come down from their niches on Horticultural Hall . Nice , robust young women are Pomona and Flora . If your niminy-piminy girls could see them run , they would stop tilting through the streets , and learn that the true Grecian Bend is the line of beauty always found in straight shoulders , well-opened chest , and an upright figure , firmly planted on active feet . ' ` In your rambles do n't you find a great deal of misery ? '
XXXXX I , to change the subject , for he was evidently old-fashioned in his notions .
've ask believed explained fly having jotted said smells thank