White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-12-31

created by the back water from the
Minidoka dam lies Lake Walcott in
Idaho, long sweeping stretch of
placid surface. It's banks are gently
sloping and grass grown, and the
islands 1t enfolds are verdant with all
sorts of growth. 1t is an ideal place
for birds. and they early sought refuge
there. Uncle Sam encouraged them
and created a protective reservation.
This refuge, the full name of which
Is the Minidoka Reservation for the
Protection Of Native Birds, was Off
cially created February 25. 1909 In
1912 1t was enlarged by President Taft
to include all of Lake Walcott The
boundary lines start one fourth mile
above where Rock creek enters the
Snake, including the shore one fourth
mile back from the waters edge.
All birds find refuge, safety, and a
place to rest and breed on the Mini
doka reservation, not only native song
and game birds, but migratory birds
such as wild geese. There are only
two such refugees in Idaho. the other
being on the Deer Flat reservoir near
Boise. 1t is under the care of the
Bureau of Biological Survey at Wash
ngton and the local warden, II. FL.
Plumb, makes regular reports on the
condition of the birds, unusual
weather, and infringements or viola
lions Of the rules.
Varieties Of Fowl
Many people on the tract and vicin-
lty are unaware even of the existence
Of this great bird haven. and among
those who know Of 1t, few know of
the variety and wide range of bird
life than inhabits the shores and Is
lands. For the sportsmen 1t will be
never-ending source Of game birds, as
they breed and spread out over the
canals, streams. and surrounding
country.
The variety of duck life that can
be found swimming and diving in It's
waters and nesting in It's marshes is
astounding. There is the Western
Grebe or hell diver, the fish duck, the
bluebill duck, the canvasback, the red
head, the mallard There is the Can
ada goose with It's black and white
markings. flying in long v-shaped for
nations to stop and rest where 1t will
not be molested.
Six miles from the dam Is an island
that is the favorite nesting place of a
great variety of birds. 1t is called
Bird island. Here members of the
feathery tribe become 30 tame that
they can be approached and almost
caught with the hand, because they
have never been molsted Birds from
the size OF a canary to immense
cranes and pelicans are found, and
endless varieties, some of which have
never been identified, nest in Its reeds
and bushes.
Breed on Island
Pheasants, sage hens and other
prairie birds breed on Bird Island and
along the shores and may be seen in
the company of sea gulls, looms, terms,
pelicans, and herons. The American
coot disports with the lowly Morgan
ser and the Killdeer races UP and
down the sandy banks. There are
turtle doves. owls, hawks, and finches
and the robin and meadowlark raise
their songs above the noisy chatter
of the swallows. The swallows have
built their nests Of mud on the caves
and corners of the power house, and
another variety lives in holes in the
clay bank of the river. 1t is con-
Awonder how they choose the
Rr to their homes out hun
IRE so close together. But
Rws aren't so particular.
y Of rapid change and
EN- all the traditional
llntry Is being driv-
L. III