Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-07-20
Studies In Natural History.
The Summer Nan.
------------- L-~

The Summer Man-The announce
ment that a real, live Summer Man
has been seen at Atlantic City calls
attention to one of the most interest
est. The report, however, that this
rura avis is to be found along our
seashore should be taken cum grano
sails, especially by feminine students
of natural history, as 1t is the nefarl-
Gus custom of hotelkeepers to send
out rumors that the hunting is good,
IN the hopes of attracting patronage.
The origin of this beautiful bird is
SO ancient as to be wrapped in the
mists of tradition, but it seems GER
tain that at one period, proba bly, dur
ing the picnic season in the Garden
Of Eden, it was extremely numerous.
Unfortunately the strenuous condi
tions of modern life are not favor
able for its propagation, and it has
become so scalce that many people,
particularly women who have spent
years in vainly trying to catch one,
hold that it is merely myth. like the
sea serpent. This is an error as many
veracious inn-keepers testify that
they have not only seen. but have
been 'touched' by these creatures,
who frequently fly by night.
The Summer Man is indigenous to
many portions of the world. its favor
ite habitat being Europe, although
the species that is found in this
swiftness what it lacks in numbers.
These are generally most plentiful in
the resorts near cities, where they
blow in, like mosquitoes. from Satur-
day to Monday, although a number of
very fine specimens, are permanently
maintained by wealthy people at New
port This is considered an evidence
of great wealth, and of having had
a Father who was in the Trust
Inasmuch as the Summer Man is
generally too poor to pluck, and too
tough to eat, it appears to be allied
to the game birds that are kept only
for amusement (genus tinhornls
sportis), but as it also attracts much
attention and is advertised as an at.
traction wherever it appears, ornl-
biologists have still further classified
it as belonging to the Great Main
Squeeze (genus lone manis).
The appearance of the Summer Man
varies with its age. When it is young
it is, perhaps, the callowest thing on
earth, and it is admired then only by
females who like veal and unfiedged
chickens. The old ones who are
generally dotty. are equally unattrac-
thing is better than nothing, many
female pothunters capture even these.
In it's prime however. the Summer
Man is thing of joy, and may easily
be distinguished from other birds by
its Panam hat, gay shirts, light f1an-
nels and generally lordly air. Also
by the fact that there are usually
three or four women hOtfooting after
it.
That we have very few authentic
data concerning the habits of the
Summer Man is to be attl ibuted to
its rarity, and the consequent diffl-
Guilty of studying it. From the specl-
mems examined it would appear that
its brains are located in it's heels, and
that it possesses remarkable staying
power, being able to dance miles at
time and hold a girl in hammock
by the hour without visible fatigue.
Some ornithologists contend that
its most notable characteristic is its
| strange power of metamorphosis. SO
| that at a moments notice from having
| been a floor walker in department
store it can become a sea dog mere
| ly by assuming yachting cap, and
that not infrequently while it fits
| ISr,