Evening star., 1948-07-22
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceDell
"EDGEWATER. Nd.


Dear Sir
This morning at dawn I sat on the side
of rocky hill that tumbled down to the
waters edge. The early chorus of bird voices
penetrated the haze of the morning A cat
bird with an insect in its beak few within a
few yards of me, and disappeared within a
thicket of laurel
Around the trunk Of a white oak fence
lizard spiralled its way in search of food. To-
ward the bay herring gull flew hurriedly.
Hunger was the motive of its rapid flight
for fsherman's boat was making its morn
ing journey to fishing grounds. The aroma
of the captains pipe penetrated the wooded
shores, and through my binoculars saw him
standing amidships as he packed his pipe and
tamped the bowl with the end of a match box.
Across the river cock crowed; and i'm
mediately as upon a signal family of crows
amid the tall pines in back of me were off
to a farmers field to raid the current canta-
foupe crop. Despite the crows reputation, I
do admire this insolent bird, for he does have
the ability to adapt himself in the face of
great odds to any situation, though forever
he will be an enemy of the agriculturist.
"A kingfisher patrolled his area and occa-
sionally dropped into the water and emerged
with a minnow in his beak. was amused at
the bird as he gave himself shake. Up the
hill door of cottage was opened and heard
it slam, and the toenails of dog scratched
the hard surface of the porch in search of
master and breakfast.
by me was my field companion and friend
Radie, my dog, a splendid boxer. We go to-
gether into the field stream and forest, and
he is alert to every movement. His ears stood
erect, as painted turtle slid from log into
the river. We were in accord, but he objected
when plucked a tick from his ear.
"He looked far out into the river. His nos
trils Swelled. He did not see the occasional
fish breaking the surface nor did the disturbing
outbreak of a stubborn outboard motor attract
his attention.
with movement of my hand brushed the
gnats from my face and through the binoculars
1 saw bird surface and submerge.
"It was loon!
''The bird was diving for food Its color
pattern blended into the dark waters and
only the observant was rewarded. It's long
beak, black head and checkered back made
an effective camoufage. We watched this
diver go down and come up and swim on the
surface.
Its manner resembled that of the emperor
penguin which not so many months ago ]
observed upon the Antarctic seas.
Back at the cottage the ships bell an
nounced breakfast, and we started our return
to civilization. turkey vulture far overhead
was balanced against cloud while a gray
squirrel barked from nearby hickory tree
1--WE passed hen and five chicks out for a
stroll in the woods. A pewee hovered over
head in anticipation of stray insects that the
fowl family may not have devoured.
1.-The fall leaves that were imbedded amid
the new grass of the forest floor cracked
under our feet and for brief period the
forest sounds we're stilled. Sincerely, M. D."
This must have been sort of busman,s holi-
day for Malcolm Davis, head birdman at our
own National Geological Park.
1t had not been many months since he
got back from the Antarctic with the penguins
and here he was at it again, with his faithful
dog watching birds on his vacation.
We are sorry we cannot present MIR. Davis
personal stationery. 1t shows two penguins al
the top, both looking rather quizziea1ly at the
imprinted name to the right.
1t is interesting, and should be for all city
dwellers, to realize that real traveller finds
| just as much to interest him in the wilds not
SO far from home.
| This is a great truth.
The eye sees what it sees, wherever it sees
| it. The mind is interested in turtle in the
| back yard or in the woods. The heart under
| stands the hungry, the world around.
Those who go to the South Pole will come
| back, just as some day men will go to the
| moon and return; but the home slayer, tht
| small garden dweller, may find much to inter.
| est him in his own garden, If he uses his eyes
his mind and hfart.