My friends , the gulls , bring their reports to me ; for they are the harbour-police , and I take notes of their doings . The school-ship is an object of interest to me , and I often perch on the mast-head , to see how the lads are getting on . Then I take a turn over the city , gossip with the weathercocks , pay my compliments to the bells , inspect the fire-alarm , and pick up information by listening at the telegraph wires . People often talk about `` a little bird '' who spreads news ; but they do n't know how that figure of speech originated . 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 XXXXX down from their niches on Horticultural Hall .
come listening living make originated promenade repays saw smells surprised