Ranch Map Graphics Win Nebraska Award

Graphic ranch maps prepared for stories issued by the Grant County News, Hyannis, have won the first place award presented by the Nebraska Press Association. The category was "Use of Computer Graphics - Produced in House" by a "Class A Weekly." This award was based upon recognition in a statewide contest, involving numerous state newspapers."

These are some examples of the ranch maps prepared for the article, based upon at atlas of the indicated year. They were originally issued in black-and-white. The land indicated was all in Cherry county.

Davis OLO Ranch.

Dumbell Land and Cattle Company.

Fawn Lake Ranch Company.

Historic Hanna Lake and Cattle Company.

Historic Metzger Ranch.

All map graphics Copyright 2012 James E. Ducey. All rights reserved. Maps may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission.

An additional award was shared with Norma Lee Hooper, for a combined "lifestyle" feature in the "beef paper" issue of the same newspaper.

Omaha Public Works and Carter Lake Pumping

The following email was received April 8th.

I checked with our staff and the ideal lake level, as agreed to by Omaha and Carter Lake is at elevation 970.3'. As you know, the staff gauge for the Lake is currently above water, indicating an elevation below 968', and we estimate that it is probably around 966'.

By contrast, the river elevation is currently even lower, at about 962'. This low river elevation is likely the main driver behind the low lake level, and is expected to remain low for at least the next week or so. Absent a very heavy localized rainfall, it is unlikely that we will see any significant change in lake level until navigation season on the river starts.

With regard to the lake pumping system, I was reminded by our staff that the pumping system was actually designed to provided only about as much water as is necessary to replace summertime evaporative losses. In other words, it's not like turning on the faucet to fill a bathtub, it more like trying to fill an olympic swimming pool with a garden hose. Baiscaly the pumping is likely to only keep the lake at its present level.

However, please help us keep an eye on the lake level between now and April 15. If we can document any significant increase, I will reconsider suspending pumping.

Marty Grate, Environmental Services Manager

Omaha Public Works Department

---

This was the reply sent to Mr. Grate.

Thanks for the response. I missed one essential word among the text. You did not mention birds at all, and they are the sole reason for birders to prefer a lesser water level.

I realize public works pays attention to birds associated with tree clearing and the CSO! project, but when will birds be given equal value in regards to management of water levels at Carter lake.

Myself and others would prefer that lake levels be kept below 968 every year until April 15th. Though to get that to happen would seem to be an onerous task.

Also, the optimum lake level of 970.3 was agreed upon by officials of the City of Omaha and City of Carter Lake. There has been no public agreement on this that I am aware of?

April Nesting Survey - Saddle Creek CSO! Project‏

This report, completed for the Omaha Public Works Department, is presented here for informational and archival purposes.

April 8, 2014

Pending tree removal by a contractor along the Saddle Creek corridor site near the end of South 62nd street, north of Bancroft Street, as well as at the intersection of Westbrook Ave and Dupont Street required that a survey be done to determine the presence of any nesting birds, according to provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and as required by a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The following details are provided to the Omaha Public Works Department in accordance with an email agreement to evaluate the indicated project sites and determine if there were any bird nests present, or if there were other associated breeding bird concerns.

Survey Methods

Surveys for active bird nests were conducted on the mornings of April 7th and 8th at the area indicated on an aerial photograph received via email from Public Works. During the survey these methods were used to evaluate bird activity while the area was slowly traversed during the two visits:

1) looking closely at both tree and understory vegetation within the immediate area of the wooded channel swale and hillside;

2) evaluating leaf or twig constructs and tree trunks to determine if there were any occupied nests or cavities;

3) recording all birds present and evaluating their behavior; and

4) listening for any bird vocalizations within the area and general vicinity.

Particular attention was given to the few trees to be removed. There was no construction activity underway in the immediate vicinity to hamper the ability to hear any bird vocalizations.

Survey Results

There were no active nests, nest building activity or occupied tree cavities noted for birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. House Sparrows and European Starlings were using tree cavities at the Westbrook Avenue and Dupont Street location, but did not appear to be utilizing the trees to be removed. Also observed here was an American Robin.

In the woods at the 62nd Street locale, the species noted were a hunting Red-tailed Hawk, and seasonal migrants, some Dark-eyed Junco. The Common Grackles were foraging, as they would have nesting sites elsewhere. No nesting activity was seen in association with the robins and blue jays also present. Some Northern Cardinals were territorial in the area, but not associated with the trees to be removed.

---

During the survey on the morning of the 8th, an owner of property adjacent to the City of Omaha CSO! site arrived and had some questions in regards to the nesting survey. He was cleaning up his property, and would also be removing a few trees. We reviewed his plans, and there were nests in those trees either.

Area Birders Appreciate Fowl at Carter Lake

This is an email sent to Mayor Jean Stothert, Robert Stubbe, director of Public Works and Pete Festerson, Omaha city council.

A dozen birders gathered on the east side of Carter Lake to observe the variety of birds present during the latter morning of April 5th. The group included bird-watchers from Omaha, Bellevue, Fremont and other places of eastern Nebraska. The group was associated with the WINGS bird tour group.

There was particular attention given to the "gull flats" north of Bird Isle. There were only Ring-billed Gulls present that appreciated this place to roost and rest. Many other birds were seen. The call of a Bairds Sandpiper was significant. Wigeons were present, as well as a bunch of coots.

The variety of birds was significantly different in comparison to one day previous, on Friday.

No water was being pumped on Friday morning, but then was being pumped on mid-day Saturday. Public officials that have made the decisions regarding the operation of the pump will not provide any details regarding the basis for why this pumping activity is done.

Birders Prefer Cessation of Pumping Water into Carter Lake

This is an email sent to Mayor Jean Stothert, Robert Stubbe, director of Public Works and Pete Festerson, Omaha city council.

On Friday morning, April 4th, there was a wonderful variety of birds present at Carter Lake, as the lake environs were most suitable for many birds. The variety of waterfowl was completely unique with, especially, a significant number of dabbling ducks present ... undoubtedly due to the lesser water levels, which make the edible aquatic vegetation available as forage.

These are the species observed during an early morning visit, with birds counted from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. from several vantage points around the lake. There were other birders present in the morning, including two guys associated with a SUV with a Michigan license plate. Obviously the birds at Carter Lake are an attraction to more than just Omaha bird-watchers!

Canada Goose: 38 Wood Duck: 19 Gadwall: 175 A count of 225 on 29 March is the greatest count for this species, and the 175 Gadwall observed on April 4th is the third largest count, based upon a review of 127 records. American Wigeon: 20 Mallard: 35 Blue-winged Teal: 2 Northern Shoveler: 875 This is the second highest count for this species at the lake. Green-winged Teal: 3 Canvasback: 77 Redhead: 12

Ring-necked Duck: 185 Lesser Scaup: 115 Bufflehead: 15 Common Goldeneye: 5 Hooded Merganser: 25 Common Merganser: 12 Ruddy Duck: 15 Pied-billed Grebe: 3 American White Pelican: 3 Double-crested Cormorant: 11 American Coot: 450 Ring-billed Gull: 65 California Gull: 1 Herring Gull: 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 Some gull records courtesy of Justin Rink.

The number of birds present was more than 2200. And since the value to the birds is worth at least $1 per day, the economic valuation is $2200 for this single date.

Upon visiting the north lake pump station, it was obvious that no water was being pumped into the lake. The lake-level gauge was below 968.

Because of the cessation of pumping, several bird enthusiasts were called, in order to get their perspective on pumping activities at Carter Lake. The following birders, as well as myself, agreed that no pumping of water should occur at the lake until after April 15th:

• Clem Klaphake
• Jim and Sandy Kovanda
• Loren and Babs Padelford
• Justin Rink
• Jerry Toll

These people appreciate the many fowl at the lake and would prefer that the lake be managed in a manner suitable for the ongoing occurrence of migratory wildbirds.

Incoming water and the water elevation gauge at Carter Lake on April 5, 2014.

Considering Wildbirds Sold in Historic Game Markets

A unique aspect of historic ornithology is the pervasive extent of accounts about wildbirds — game — available for purchase in city markets. When different species were numerous and could be readily harvested, they soon became a commodity for purchase. Larger metropolis' such as New York City and Chicago were especially prominent for the extent of this sort of market activity.

A preliminary evaluation of thousands of market records has recently been completed which conveys some interesting details. It was a process of searching or browsing through available periodicals to find articles that listed market commodities and the most recent cost. Most of the 18,045 records considered are from a variety of newspapers. Not every entry was extracted, since in many instances the list of birds being sold and the prices were similar week to week, so details were extracted only for alternate weeks. There was a greater interest in keeping noting weekly details as this multi-year effort to extract information was done.

Recording the price information was done in a standard manner. The text of the published entry was entered into one database field, other db fields included the minimum price, date of record, a thorough citation, number of birds sold (only a limited extent of this information is given, as available), the decade and city of occurrence. A particular species or common name was then designated. Meta-data includes a conversion of the date to a Julian date to allow yearly comparisons.

Additional articles about local game markets are are included in the historic ornithology bibliography. They have many interesting anecdotes and bits of history. When available, advertisements or other graphic images were electronically captured for illustrative purposes.

This is a summary for the records thus far obtained. The first records are from 1520 from Tenochtitlan, Mexico and the last are from 1889 at Omaha, Nebr. and St. Paul, Minn.; the majority are from 1885 (an arbitrary end to the period evaluated) and prior years.

These are the 45 towns, cities and other locales for which records are available:

» New York City: 7705 records for 52 species, starting in 1759 with continuous records from 1853 to 1885

» Chicago, Ill.: 5592 records for 21 species, with a continuous record from 1857 to 1885

» Washington, D.C.: 1831 records for 30 species from 1856 to 1885

» St. Louis, Mo.: 601 records, 17 species from 1858 to 1884

» Omaha, Nebr.: 562; eight spp. between 1875 and 1889

» Milwaukee, Wisc.: 512; 13 spp. between 1866 and 1880

» San Francisco, Cal.: 217; 30 spp. from 1851 to 1880 with latter records still to be considered

» Memphis, Tenn.: 199; ten spp. from 1867 to 1885

» Boston, Mass.: 211; 12 spp. from 1818 to 1870, though primarily after 1863; also 1883 with other records still be considered

» Cairo, Ill.: 123; seven spp. from 1868 to 1884

» St. Paul, Minn.: 123; ten spp. from 1884 to 1889

» New Orleans, La.: 63; 36 spp. from 1810 and 1821

» Louisville, Ky.: 59; 11 spp. from 1863 and 1866

» Kansas City, Mo.: 52; three spp. from 1876, 1884 and 1885

» Troy, N.Y.: 26; nine spp. from 1854, 1855 and 1866

» Kirksville, Mo.: 20; five spp. from 1881-1883

» Norfolk, Virg.: 18; three spp. from 1865 and 1866

» Brownville, Nebr.: 14 records for two species in 1875

» Tenochtitlan, Mexico: 14; only four recognizable species denoted, with the other records for generic sorts of birds that could not be further defined

» Richmond, Virg.: 13; four spp. from 1853 and 1865

» Leavenworth, Kan.: 12; two species from 1877 and 1878

» Albany, N.Y.: 8; six spp. from 1845 and 1874

» Hennepin, Ill.: 8; five spp. from 1845

» Philadelphia, Pa.: 8; 7 spp. from 1861

» Columbus, Ohio: 6; five spp. from 1861 and 1868

» Platte City, Neb.: 5; four spp. from 1866

» Sandusky, Ohio: 5; three spp. from 1854

» Virginia, Nev.: 5; two spp. from 1863

» Oswego, N.Y.: 4; two spp. from 1881

» Wichita, Kan.: 4; two spp. from 1872

» Bismarck, N.D.: 3; represents only the Greater Prairie Chicken from 1884

» Bloomsburg, Pa.: 3; record for the Passenger Pigeon in 1868

» Jefferson City, Mo.: 3; two spp. from 1871

» Alexandria, Virg.: 2; Bobolink records from 1870 and 1879

» Atchison, Kan.: 2; the Northern Bobwhite and Greater Prairie Chicken in 1867

» Ogdensburgh, N.Y.: 2; Ruffed Grouse and Mallard in 1876

» Springfield, Ill.: 2; Northern Bobwhite and Greater Prairie Chicken in 1860

» Buffalo, N.Y.: 1; the Passenger Pigeon in 1840

» Charleston, S.C.: 1; a Brown-headed Cowbird in 1809

» Dayton, Ohio: 1; Passenger Pigeon in 1852

» Essex County, N.Y.: 1; Passenger Pigeon in 1859

» Little Rock, Ark.: 1; Passenger Pigeon in 1867

» Minneapolis, Minn.: 1; Greater Prairie Chicken in 1881

» Orange County, N.Y.: 1; Passenger Pigeon in 1872

» Stroudsburg, Pa.: 1; Passenger Pigeon in 1859

This list indicates the species (81) and types of birds represented among the records. There are undoubtedly more records associated with domestic chickens or tame pigeons, but the focus was upon wildbirds.

Greater Prairie Chicken - 2033 records Mallard - 1926 Northern Bobwhite - 1556 Passenger Pigeon (including wild squabs) - 1333 Wild pigeons (a.k.a. Passenger Pigeon) are known to have been sold at the local market in these places: Albany, N.Y.; Bloomsburg, Pa.; Boston, Mass.; Cairo, Ill.; Chicago, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; Essex County, N.Y.; Little Rock, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; Milwaukee, Wisc.; New York City; Orange County, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Francisco, Cal.; St. Louis, Mo.; Stroudsburg, Pa.; Troy, N.Y.; Washington, D.C. Duck - 1139 Teal - 1050 Ruffed Grouse - 1000 Canvasback - 811 Redhead - 736 Wilson's Snipe - 687 American Woodcock - 671 Rock Dove - 526 Plover - 493 Wild Turkey - 410 Snipe - 375 Wood Duck - 299 Sandpiper - 269 American Black Duck - 236 Canada Goose - 232 American Wigeon - 229 Bobolink - 150 Scaup - 143 Dowitcher - 111 Snow Goose - 103 Yellowlegs - 102 American Robin - 94 Brant Goose - 92 Goose - 78 Red-winged Blackbird - 73 Sharp-tailed Grouse - 73 Sora - 70 Grouse - 69 Gadwall - 65 Northern Shoveler - 47 Curlew - 45 Greater Yellowlegs - 43 American Golden Plover - 38 Lesser Yellowlegs - 38 American Coot - 36 Red Knot - 35 Northern Pintail - 34 Semipalmated Sandpiper - 33 Ruddy Duck - 32 Blackbird - 28 Blue-winged Teal - 27 Upland Sandpiper - 27 Lesser Scaup - 26 Unidentified birds - 26 Quail - 19 Bufflehead - 17 Godwit - 17 Lark - 16 Pigeon - 16 Dove - 15 Grey Plover/Dunlin - 14

Green-winged Teal - 13 Shorebird - 12 Charadrius plover - 11 Tundra Swan - 11 Cedar Waxwing - 10 Common Pheasant - 10 Grey Plover - 10 Clapper Rail - 5 Meadowlark - 5 Ruddy Turnstone - 5 Great Egret - 4 Pectoral Sandpiper - 4 Sandhill Crane - 4 Willet - 4 Great Blue Heron - 3 King Rail - 3 Merganser - 3 Mourning Dove - 3 Stilt Sandpiper - 3 Virginia Rail - 3 Willow Ptarmigan - 3 Cormorant - 2 Killdeer - 2 Northern Barred Owl - 2 Northern Flicker - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 2 Tree Swallow - 2 Unidentified species - 2 Whooping Crane - 2 A white crane in the market on 17 Mar 1821 at New Orleans; white crane sold for $4 on 21 Oct 1872 at Milwaukee American Avocet - 1 Blue plover at $1.00 per dozen in the San Francisco market in December 1860. American Kestrel - 1 American White Ibis - 1 Black-crowned Night Heron - 1 Blue Jay - 1 Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 California Quail - 1 Cinnamon Teal - 1 Crow - 1 Dark-eyed Junco - 1 Domestic Chicken - 1 Eagle - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 1 Eastern Meadowlark - 1 Emperor Goose - 1 Flycatcher - 1 Gambel's Quail - 1 Goldeneye - 1 Greater White-fronted Goose - 1 Guillemot - 1 Long-tailed Duck - 1 Loon - 1 Mountain Quail - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 Owl - 1 Parrot - 1 Passeriformes species - 1 Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Purple Gallinule - 1 Sage Grouse - 1 Shearwater - 1 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 Steller's Jay - 1 Swan - 1 Vulture - 1 Warbler - 1 Woodpecker - 1

Summary details provide an overall perspective, while there are specifics which indicate so many more details. The following particulars are derived from published records for the Bobolink ˜ a.k.a. reed bird or rice bird — in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. during the autumn season, as indicated by the market price. The value given is the cost per dozen, which is a tepid indication of the overall extent of local activity associated with the taking of these birds, and others in the marshes of the lower Potomac River and tributaries.

Julian Date	1859	1860	1862	1863	1865	1868	1869	1872	1873	1874	1877	1878	1879	1880	1881	1882	1883	1884	1885
235	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
242	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.40	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
243	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -
245	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.00	- -	- -	- -
246	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
247	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.40	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
248	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -
249	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
251	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -
252	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60
253	0.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
255	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
256	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -
258	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -
259	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -	- -	- -
260	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
261	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.40	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
262	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	0.60
263	0.00	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	0.75	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
264	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.37	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
265	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
266	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
269	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
270	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -
272	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -
273	- -	- -	- -	- -	2.00	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -
274	0.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
276	- -	- -	- -	1.25	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
277	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.50	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
279	- -	0.62	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2.00	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
282	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
284	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
288	0.50	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
290	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -
293	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -	- -	- -
294	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -
296	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
304	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -
308	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.60	- -	- -	- -	- -
310	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
312	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
318	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1.00	- -
326	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0.75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -

Additional details from other source material can undoubtedly be considered, so this is a March 2014 summary. This is a work in progress, with pending additions and potential revisions.

Autumn - An 1867 Poem

By Wilmon Whilldin.

The bright Oleander is faded and gone,

The Eglantine bush turneth brown;

The tulips that studded our grotto and lawn,

Dock no more the greensward and mound,

The Exquisite Shrub has lost its perfume;

Its kindred boughs have a golden plume,

But their toilette is fading away.

The Margoram and Myrtle have perished,

And dead is the sweet Marigold;

The Mistletoe vine we cherished

Falls away from lattice and fold,

The grain is garnered — fruit is ripe,

And the husbandman's work is nigh done;

Wild pigeons gather a harvest of seeds

Which mature 'neath the Autumnal sun.

The whistling wind find chilly now,

And the cattle come oft to the barn;

The poultry near the cottage crib,

For the grass is frosted and shorn.

Birds migrate to sunnier climes,

Save a few that are hardy and tough;

Robins flock round the cedar boughs,

Wild plovers go off to the bluff.

The dove coo-coos in the stubble field,

And feasts on the scattered grain;

Larks fly out from the dreary glade,

And away to the valley and plain,

Night gales creep to the rattling reeds,

And frighten the partridge away;

Among the brakes the heron feeds,

And moans till the break of day,

Agile fawn are off to the mountain,

Lithe coyotes off to the lair;

Panting herds come slow to the fountain,

For the liquid is plenty elsewhere.

Falcons flit forth from the eyry,

And pilfer the farmer's brood;

The hunter, with hound lithe and fiery,

Starts the hare from jungle and wood.

Urchins go hunt the chestnut tree,

Or seek the grapes in the dell;

Spry lassies full of joyous glee,

Go gather the nuts that have fell;

Belles now doff their satin and gauze,

For the days are dreary no more;

Lonely looks the quiet lawn,

For its, sweet spell is o'er;

Yellow sheaves are on the mow,

The cribs are teeming with maize;

Contentment lights the farmer's brow,

As he prospects a winter of ease;

Meadows are cropped, and bins are filled;

The racks are bending with hay;

The cider is made — the barley is milled,

And we love the Autumnal day.

Autumn. October 23, 1867. Bloomsburg Democrat 31(34): 1.