The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-02-09

Prepared by National Geographic Society.
Washington. D. C.-WNU Service.
TN SPITE of mans destruction Of
forests and building Of great cities,
i the face Of nature has changed but
little along the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts of North America.
A number of large or otherwise note
worthy species of wild animals orig
inally here have disappeared, but these
were of kinds apparently untitled to
survive in populous country. Among
them may be mentioned the bison and
the elk, which once roamed the east
ern forests, and the wolves and cou-
CARS which preyed upon them and 9TH
er wild things. In addition, among
the birds, the great aux, the Labrador
duck. the heath hen, passenger pigeon,
and parrakeet have vanished.
AS against this there Is a marked
renewal of forests in progress and
large numbers of species of wild crea-
lures have adapted themselves to
share their world with civilized man.
Moose and caribou hold their own in
some of the wilder places, and the
white-tailed deer is probably more nu-
merous than at any previous time In
its history. Each yearly hunting sea-
son, within a radius of 300 miles of
New York city, sportsmen take more
than 10000 of these deer. In Pennsyl-
vania their increase has been so great
that the entire stock of deer has been
threatened with starvation, owing to
lack of sufficient forage.
Probably the total number of small
birds now is vastly greater than ex-
listed in the Say Of the Pilgrim Faith
ers, owing ito the Increase Of food
available on farms and in second
growth forests. Millions of migratory
wild fowl continue to troop southwark
every fall to winter in the coastal wa
terways and marshes.
Many small creatures of field and
forest have developed such an insight
into man and his ways that they out
wit him at times when their interests
conflict. Cottontail, swamp and snow
shoe rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, beav-
er, mink, otter, raccoons, bobcats and
other small mammals, and even the
black bear, are common in many
places. Doves, wild turkeys, ruffed
grouse, and bobwhites continue to lead
the hunter afield.
Tropical Beasts and Birds.
So far we have had to do only with
the creatures of more northern lati-
tudes, but within our southern limits
come such tropical beasts as the jag
uar, ocelot, jaguar-undi cat, coati-
mundi, peccary, and prehensile-tailed
porcupine, with parrots and other
strange birds and very different
plant life, that make a new world to
the northern visitor.
With so much of the original capt.
tai in wild life to go on, it is special
ly pleasing to note the great awaken
ing that has taken place among the
people of the United States during the
last twenty years in their recognition
of the value of wild life as a great
national asset that must be maintained
and perpetuated. This change from
comparative indifference has come as
the direct result of an educational
campaign conducted for years by
many organizations.
The survival Of SO much wild life
along the eastern coast and its bor-
dering hinterland is due largely to this
regions physical characteristics. To
the north, in Newfoundland. Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine,
are vast, thinly peopled, forested areas
Astounding In streams and lakes.
There travel is still so largely by
rough roads and small boats that con-
ditions remain favorable to wild life.
The rock bound coast and outlying is
lets also provide homes for countless
sea birds, just as do similar conditions
on the shores Of the North Pacific.
Beginning near the mouth of the
Hudson, a great coastal plain extends
southwark to eastern Mexico. To the
north 1t begins with a width of only
a few miles, broadening to from 100
to $50 miles in places, until it mar
rows again near Tampico. In this en-
tire distance there are no outcrop-
pings Of metamorphic rocks and APP
parently none of sedimentary forma-
ton except the coquinas Of Florida.
Long stretches Of this plain are front
ed by sand beaches penetrated here
and. there by bays. sounds, inlets, and
the mouths of rivers. Back Of the ex-
posed beaches lie many great marsh
areas and shallow bays. with number
less sand bars, low islands, and mud
fats.
Fine for the Water Fowl.
In such places thrive aquatic plants
with myriads Of fish, crustaceans. and
other food which in winter sustain
millions Of swans, geese, ducks. gulls.
waders, and other wild fowl.
Fortunately for these birds. the