The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-08-31

curious parasite. the yellow birds
nest"-a name which accurately de-
scribes It's "all.gold" appearance. The
other plant which cannot be over
looked by the most casual visitor is the
MARIAN grass (starr grass. The hills
owe the greater part OF such stability
as they possess TO this growth. It's
value has long been recognized, for in
the reign OF Elizabeth an act was
passed making the cutting OF this grass
an indictable crime. The act is still
in force. but may sometimes be more
honored in the breach than in the OBJ
servance, for a Judicious cutting OF the
tops strengthens the roots TO such an
extent that they win extend for is feet
or 20 feet in a lateral direction through
the sand The binding" effect of this
grass is seen in the resistance offered
10 the Influence OF wind where it
grows. 1t is often planted in places
where the drift OF sand is too rapid.
and never fails to insure stability. or
course. other growths, such is that Of
the sea calystegia. for example. aid in
the binding process Some idea OF the
value OF such growths. especially of the
MARIAN, may be gathered from the
drift where they are absent or scarce.
Not far from the dunes illustrated in
this article is a farm, the buildings OF
which have been completely buried by
blown sand. 1t is known as Lost
Farm"
There is plenty of wild life on the
dunes. There are many varieties of
birds. some common. others rare
Many are only visitants for a brief
period. others breed among the dunes
and Stacks. Kestrels and other hawks
are common. the merlin finding the
many larks to his taste. The great
butcher-bird hunts the lizards among
the dunes, and the red-backed shrike
finds an amply-supplied larder: wheat
ears abound and scores OF varieties OF
birds are to be met with. or animals
there are few-rabbitS galore Cconse-
quently. weasels. .poleca,s. etc.)-with
other frequen;ers OF sandy soils.
Shrews Go not seerl TO thrive. though
they are numerous, for It has been OBJ
served that they are often found dead
among the dunes. Green and brown
lizards are common. and their pretty
ways well worth watching From the
lower localities the fuller voice OF the
natterjack mingies with and half
browns the less-lnsistent croaking OF
the ordinary frog. Enormous specl.
mems OF the commoner toad bury them.
selves in the sand or lazily flop along.
Whether one has regard 10 the ma
terialS. formation. constant modIhca-
tons. fora. fauna. or what not OF the
dunes. they are full OF absorbing in
terest. which many visits will not ex-
haust II may be mentioned that they
constitute about the best point OF out
look also From the higher dunes on
clear day the view is broad and beau.
tilul, extending TO the Cumberland and
Westmoreland mountains IN the north
and northeast and to the Sno~don
group IN the opposite direction. while
under exceptional atmospheric condk
tons the Isle OF Man may be dis.
cerned. One word OF entreaty TO visit.
ors may not be amiSs: the rarer
growths on the dunes are TO be re-
spected, and specimens should be gath.
cred sparngly. To carry away all the
flowers OF any kind that can be found
IS sheer vandalism and unfair TO other
botanists and to all who love 10 see
plant fourishIng IN It's native situation.
The wholesale depredations OF some
who ought 70 know better render this
protest no; unnecessary. In point OF
fact. the dunes described are situated
at Birkdale. which Is separate Dor.
ough: but It is sufficiently accurate for
all practical purposes. and more com
prehensible TO readers in general to
call them the Southport sandhills.
JOHN CRSISTox FINSY.