Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-06-21

ton seldom found IN the east on the
south shore Is the only true Atlantic
fiord on United States territory.
Somes sound. Among the hills are
number of narrow sparkling lakes. I'LL
ing basins scooped out Of the rock by
the powerful grinding force OF gla-
ciers ages ago.
All lovers Of birds and plant life
can find an interest In Lafayette Ma
tional park aside from its beautiful
scenery and the climbing IL affords.
IL Is wonderfully fitted 10 be great
nesting and feeding ground for both
land and water birds. This is true.
too. of course. OF the adjoining islands
and coast. So numerous are the in
dentations that the tide washes fully
2.-00 miles OF shore from Casco Bay
north 10 Canada. All along the coast
are 20 be found extensive fats and
salt marshes. flooded twice a day by
tides. AT Mount Desert these tides
rise l. feet or more; and each leaves
deposited on the flats Of the island
much floating marine life, and con-
tributes 20 the growth Of fixed vege-
table and animal forms. IN this way
Nature really sets a gigantic table for
the birds
Bird Life Sadly Depleted.
But unfortunately private control Of
many of the islands and coast flats.
and more or less promiscuOus shoot
ing aud nest destruction have greatly
depleted the bird life along the Maine
coast until now only a pitiable rem
nant Is left OF the fiocks observed by
early explorers. one 81 the results
looked FOR by the creation Of the La
fayette park and TIE extension which
il Is believed Il viii undergo. Is the
protection 81 bird life, and the gradual
restoration Of larger flocks.
This matter of bird protection NJ
Mount Desert Is made easier by the
fact that perhaps no other area in the
northeast In the line Of important NIL
grations Is better fitted 20 grow
great variety Of fruitlng plants for
bird food. ON the exposed portions
~ the islands. both headlands and
hogs. are found numerous species OF
plants typical II the regions OF the
north. including the Arctic. And In
sheltered hooks are scores Of plants
that there reach their extreme north
ern limlts-plants 81 the southern
coastal zone. Finally the soil types
are varied so that both plants Of acid
and ~ basic areas thrive. Nearly
every food plant. then. known 10 birds
in northern or central regions, either
grows or can be grown on Mount
Desert island.
Just as Lafayette National park diff
fers from the western parks in sur
roundings and type Of scenery, so IL
differs in origin. When the era or
national park creation came, the fed
eral government owned vast stretches
Of mountain and plain and valley In
the West. and was able 20 select that
which was most picturesque and mere
IL designate IL as public Fairgrounds.
But all public lands In the East had
long since passed into private hands.
and for several decades there were no
eastern parks. The unique beauty OF
Mount Desert island led persons famil-
lar with IL TO feel that IL would be
the ideal eastern park. Ar association
81 private individuals was formed and
tract after tract Of he rugged hills Of
the island were purchased. These were
rendered 10 the national government In
1916. and in 1919 congress passed an
act accepting the land and creating
the park. II Is contemplated that other
tracts viii be added from time 70 time
until eventually a large part Of the
mountainous island win be a federal