They keep it up all day , and I have to take it ; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke , whether you like it or not . My amusements are of a wholesome kind . I usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour , for a look at the lighthouses , the islands , the shipping , and the sea . 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 XXXXX .
House day fire-alarm housetops mast-head night school-ship sparrow sparrows weathercocks