BlO—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 6,1982
LANCASTER Want to know
why the American bald eagle is
called “bald?”
Or why “eagle-eye” is an apt
description for someone with good
eyesight?
These are just two of many
questions about America's
national bird answered in the
current issue of Ranger Ride, the
National Wildlife Federation’s
monthly publication for children.
A bald eagle isn’t bald at all. His
bead is covered with white
feathers. The word bald comes
from the Old English word
“balde,” which means white.
And “eagle-eye” refers to the
eagle’s extraordinarily keen
eyesight, which enables some of
them to spot a fish from more than
a mile away. An unusually high
number of “cone cells,’* or
specialized vision cells, give the
eagle’s eye its long-distance
focusing capability, says Ranger
Rick. The extra cells also make the
eagle’s eye large in proportion to
the rest of his body. Some eagles
have eyeballs larger than a
human’s.
Among the other questions about
the majestic bird answered by
Ranger Ride are these:
How high do eagles fly? No
one knows for sure, says Ranger
Rick. But they do fly high even
out of sight by riding on top of
rising columns of air, called
thermals.
How big is a bald eagle’s nest?
They are often huge, because
eagles (who mate for life) tend to
use the same nest, piling new
materials on top of the old year
after year. One of the largest nests
ever found weighed more than a
ton, and measured 20 feet deep by
9V4 feet across. A new nest is small
by comparison about three feed
w
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National bird is eagle-eyed, but not bald
deep and five feet across, ac- use a different one each year. But pounds. Most female bald eagles
cording to Ranger Ride. one pair of eagles nested in the weigh a little more than their
—Do eagles nest in the same same place for 20 years. mates,
place year after year? Not always. _ How much do eagles weigh? A _ what do bald eagles eat? They
Some pairs have several mature American bald eagle seem to prefer fish dead or
nests in the same area, and they weighs between eight and twelve alive. Eagles are great fishermen,
FLEMINGTON, N.J. -
Following are the latest reports on
the 4-H events in Hunterdon
County, N. J.
Busy Beavers
The January meeting of the Busy
Beavers 4-H prep dub was held at
the Lohner Residence in
Whitehouse Station. Club members
made birdfeeders from bleach
bottles, wood and plnecones. They
will learn how to mold candy at
their next meeting at the Fichner
home in Wbitehouse Station.
4-H means fun
LANCASTER What combines
work, camping, fitness, FUN, art
education, cultural heritage,
leadership training, FUN, service
to others, learning, and FUN? It’s
FUN, otherwise known as 4-H - a
smotgasborg of activity.
Want to do something? Want
someone to do it with? Four-H
recreational groups specialize in a
wide variety of seasonal sports
from canoeing to skiing. Or bow
about arts and crafts, model
airplanes and rockets, or fitness
and dance? Four-H programs mot
only offer the opportunity to
master these skills and abilities,
but also give young adults the
opportunity to share them with
others -through the volunteer
training programs.
Tired- of the same old thing?
Wonder what to do? Have FUN! Be
part of 4-H this winter.
PINK
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LT. BLUE
LT. GREEN
Hunterdon County, N.J., 4-H reports meetings
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4-H Beef Club
The Hunterdon County 4-H beef
club decided which logo would go
on their club's T-shirts a
drawing of a calf. Two members
will give demonstrations at-the
next meeting. Many of the dub
members plan to attend 4-H Winter
Camp, which will be held at Lin
dley G. Cook Camp from February
19-21. A committee was set up for
tiie club’s entry in the Window'
Display Contest. Posters were
made after the meeting, which will
be used to recruit new dub
members. New members are
cordially invited to join the dub at
their next meeting on February 28,
at the Fabijanic home in Stockton. |
Flour Children 4-H Club '
Members of the Flour Children 4-
H foods dub made snickerdoodles
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of RAIN
SmrEBfRD:
at their last meeting. Some of the
members also did an experiment
with measuring liquids. Most of the
club plans to partidpate in the
Bake-Off Contest, scheduled for
Saturday, March 13. Brownies will
be made at their next meeting, set
for February 9.
4-H Hone Club
Lonni Quenault was a guest at
the last meeting of the Trail
Blazers 4-H horse dub. 'Members
dap asl&p,but Tfw mmi bv turning
tne tv is sm. AwAtcelj off -me iv and anViAins- eue wafn
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STATk FLOOJ6R:
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able to nab a live fish right out of
the water by swooping down and
grasping it with sharp talons. But
eagles will also eat ducks, geese,
turtles, rabbits, rats, squirrels
and even garbage.
plan to participate in the 4-H
Window Display Contest in April. A
trip to the United States
Equestrian Headquarters is also
planned. A bake sale was held by
the dub at the Califon A&P.
Colleen McDonald and Cindy
McCall gave demonstrations
during the meeting. Members will
select a dub motto and emblem at
their next meeting, to be hdd on
February 8. New members are
invited to attend.
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