Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-21
Scouts View Home
Life of Seabirds
On Trip to Island

three men, only human occupants
OF the island. were Just finishing
their evening dinner
Rare incident Filmed
Our welcome was most cordial
and the third man was introduced
as DR.. +. r. Oastler, vice-p-esident
OF the National Association Of
Audubon Societies. DR.. Oastler had
been very successful in his effort
TO get the moving pictures Of a
rather rare incident. i. c. the hatch
ing Of a snowy white phase OF the
reddish egret whose parents were
Of a pure strain reddish egret. The
third egg was due to hatch the day
after We left and we are anxious
to know whether II was white or
not. These scientists do not know
the why" OF the one white egret,
and neither IS there any authority
on the subject.
Mr.. Hadley invited US 10 20 upon
the tower being erected for the
purpose OF observation until they
finished their meal. and handed
rs two field glaSSTs which we used
turn about. From this tower We
locked down upon approximately
twenty acres OF nesting birds. In
the tops OF the low scrubby ever
green trees at this time of the year
j. bird life in all Of its stages; nest
ing, Matching. feeding, trying their
wings, brooding. incubating. etc. The
trees are literally alive with them,
and being 50 well protected by Mr..
Larson. the government game var
den, they are just as natural and
innocent in all their actions as a
new baby.
When Mr.. Larson had finished
his meal he came out and led the
way through winding trails. seldom
used. over the entire island. We
we're permitted to trail along single
file, taking pictures as we wanted
to. Unfortunately the small box
camera does not take good pictures
OF wild life in the woods and usual
ly the pictures this way are dis
appointments. We saw the parent
bird brooding the young and upon
inquiring OF Dr.. Oastler why they
stood over them with outstretched
wings he explained that in place
OF trying to keep the young birds
warm they were tanning them to
keep them cool. II the young we're
LETT IN the sun for two hours with
out this tanning and shade they
would be cooked. To see these
gorgeous birds taking turn about
tanning their young all day long
throughout the hot days gives one
an insight into tire working plans
OF God.
To witness the Ward Heron or
other rare and regal beauties bow
ing and strutting in all their hap.
plneSs would certsl nly take away
any desire one might have to des-
troy the birds for just their plumes.
Some Of the eggs are larger than
goose eggs. It is known that fish
ermen in passing the island used
TO raid the nests and carry off all
the eggs. This practice has been
stopped by just such nature lovers
as DR.. Oastler and Mr.. Hadley who
devote their wealth and time 10
the conservation OF wild life. For
scouts to see these things and have
them explained Is better than any
precept basis for morals.
There is not a duck on Green
Island but all the birds feed on
fishes and instead Of dropping the
small fish into the mouths of the
young birds the parent birds open
their mouths and let the young din
In like eating out Of a bowl.
The black crowned night he-on
has just three white plumes an a
crowned head. This species goes
out at night TO do its feeding
Uriah Stegman discovered a large
bird circling over the island and
exclaimed, There is a man OF war.
Mr.. Larson" This discovery upon
Uriah's part led to an interesting
discussion between Mr.. Hadley and
Uriah. upon birdlife. Uriah is an
Eagle Scout and OF course Is better
posted on many subjects than the
average scout.
The trip aside from slight tire
trouble on the trailer was mos,
successful and without mishap. II
was not what you could term a
pink Tea but Just a good outing
that makes a boy more OF a man.
Four watermelons right out OF
the patch on the way home finish
ed the day to a Scouts taste"