PAGE
es Ss
TWO
: THE POST, FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1952
Gin, Gur
any
By William J. Robbins Jr.
_ Aside from their beauty and joy-
ful songs, birds play an important
role in our economic life. An ex-
act estimate of their value can-
not be given, but it is a certainty
that their help in reducing insect
life is of a gigantic nature, There
are three quarters of a million
known species of insects in the
world, This is an appalling num-
ber but not so alarming as an-
other aspect. The rapidity of re-
production of certain species is
alarming when we learn how
much valuable plant life one single
insect can destroy.
Certain caterpillars consume
twice their weight in leaves each
day. Add to this revelation the
startling fact that a female
can cast 60,000,000 of its kind in
a single season, and there is no
doubt that agencies of control must
be continually on the alert.
The curculio and codling moth
reportedly cost orchardists $12,-
000,000 a year in reduced value
of their crops, and in addition to
this figure another $8,000,000 for
sprays. Wheat crop loss by the
chinchbug is reported to be $20,-
000,000 annually, and the same
amount of loss confronts the cot-
ton farmer in the south from the
ravaging boll weevil.
Potato bugs multiply by casting
off 50,000,000 or 60,000,000 chew-
ing offspring in a single season,
and the green leaf louse, with a
“much larger appetite, is capable
of multiplying at a much greater
rate.
Man is constantly on the alert
to curb this ever-present menace.
Scientists in conjunction with our
Government agencies are continu-
ally seeking methods of a swifter
_ defense that would be futile if it
were not for the bird life of our
fields and forests. x
The United States Department of
Agriculture recently estimated the
value of birds at the tremendous
figure of $200,000,000 annually, or
slightly over thirteen cents an
acre, in the humid region of our
Nation. In the arid region at
about $150,000,000 or twenty-two
cents per acre. The grand total
of $350,000,000 is only about one-
fourth of a recent estimate
($1,590,040,500) of the total cost
of damage caused by insects. The
value of birds in Pennsylvania in
g 1 kiotis insects
amounts to over
seeds
$7,000,000 annually.
Birds are very active and this,
it has been learned, is the reason
weed
for their voraciousness. In their
food habits they are so diversified
that nearly all species of insects
can be found on the menu as a
contribution to their ravenous ap-
petites. There are forty-three
birds that consume the army
worm. One hundred and ten, the
pill-bugs; browntail moth, thirty-
one; chestnut weevils, eighty-five;
chinchbug, twenty-nine; clover
root borers, ninety-four; clover
weevil, forty-eight; codling moth,
thirty-six; cutworms, ninety-eight;
forest tent ‘caterpillar, thirty-two
gypsy moth, forty-six; horseflies,
forty-nine; leaf hopper, one hun-
dred seventy-five; orchard tent
caterpillar, forty-three; _ po tato
beetle, forty-two; white grubs,
ninety-five; and wireworms, two
hundred @nd five. These figures
represent only a partial list but
will tend to give one an insight
into the tremendous part birds
play in destroy.ng insect pests.
Oscar Hawksley, a young, but
nationally known ornithologist and
graduate of Principia College at
Elsah, Illinois was a guest at our
home a few years back. His know-
ledge of bird life was great and
varied but his interests were pri-
marily in the esthetic, recreational
and educational value of birds.
One expedition he made for the
National Geographic magazine was
to the arctic regions to photograph
birdlife above the arctic circle. Up-
on completion of the two years’
expedition, his records, both photo-
graphic and written, were so com-
plete that many suppositions of
birdlife in the frigid zone were
changed and in some instances
radical changes were made by
older and more experienced «people
in this field. :
Another trip by this young na-
turlist was to India where he was
to study the methods of falconry
in order to make comparisons of
this sport with reports on file
from other parts of the world.
While in India he had an oppor-
tunity to meet a Shah or ruler
of a Province whose twin sons
were very much interested in
falconry. Because of their mutual
friends and consequently he was
invited to spend his spare time
as a royal guest. This, claimed
Oscar, was a never-to-be-forgotten
experience, for he lived in all the
regal splendor of the Country.
From our front porch he could
distinguish by song the birds that
inhabited our little sanctuary and
it was he who called my attention
to seventeen different birds, many
that would no doubt go unobserved
by the untrained. His stay was
much too short, but his visit has
been classified by myself, and other
members of the family as the in-
centive for my profound interest
in birds.
In going through
his visit I came across the follow-
ing fallacies and facts that might
prove interesting to some readers.
Birds are not charmed by snakes
so they are unable to fly, thereby
making them easy prey:
The Hummingbird can
forward and Yuoevrd.
ird, not a moth.
2 x true that the Crested Fly-
catcher uses a snake skin or two
in addition to vegetable fibers,
roots and other materials to make
its nest. ;
The Northern Shrike impales on
thorns or barbed wire the insects,
mice, or small birds that it cap-
tures.
The Whip-poor-will sits length-
wise on a limb, not crosswise.
Crows, Blackbirds, Starlings and
Cowbirds .are walking birds, not
hoppers.
The Blue-Jay and Starling are
excellent mimics. ;
The Raven is not extinct 1n
Pennsylvania, but it is just hold-
ing its own.
The male Goldfinch changes its
black and yellow plumage of
summer to a mixed brown in win-
ter.
Cowbirds do not build nests,
but lay their eggs in the nests of
other birds.
Cedar Waxwings are the only
common North - American birds
that have a tail tipped with vyel-
low.
The Catbird and Brown Thrasher
are often called mockers for they
can render a fairly close imitation
of other birds’ songs.
Wrens, including the Short-billed
and Long-billed Marsh Wrens,
build several “dummy” nests.
The Nuthatch is the only bird
that can perch and hop upside
down on a tree trunk,
Small birds don’t use the back
of geese as transports during mi-
gration.
Eagles do not carry away small
children or babies.
my notes of
fly both
And it is
The cry of a Rain Crow
(Cuckoo) is no indication of a
storm.
(Continued on Page Three)
| interests they became very close
| THE 2nd
NATIONAL
Is On The Mark!
Wyoming Valley is wide open for new enter-
prises . . . and for the expansion and develop-
ment of present businesses.
The Second National Bank is poised on the
| yk mark ready to take the lead in providing
funds for sound business venture in this area.
Come in and discuss your business plans with
us. We are here to serve you.
Main Office
Market and Franklin
Streets
Wilkes-Barre
{i
Have You Made Your Deposit In The RED GROSS BLOOD BANK?
MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP.
1
Kingston Office
Wyoming Avenue
at rom
Union Street
ESTABLISHED 1889
Member Pennsylvania Newspaper
Publishers’ Association
A mon-partisan liberal
progressive newspaper pub-
lished every Friday morning
at the Dallas Post plant
Lehman Avenue, Dallas
Pennsylvania.
Entered as second-class matter at
the post office at Dallas, Pa., under
the Act of March 3, 1879. Subscrip-
tion rates: $3.00 a year; $2.00 six
months. No subscriptions accepted
for less than six months. Out-of
state subscriptions: $3.50 a year;
$2.50 six months or less. Back
issues, ‘more than one week old, 10c.
Single copies, at a rate of 3c
each, can be obtained every Fri-
day morning at the following news-
stands: Dallas—Berts Drug Store,
Bowman's Donahues
Restaurant; Shavertown— Evans’
Drug Store, Hall’s Drug Store;
Trucksville, Gregory’s Store; Shaver’s
Store ;ldetown, Caves Store; Hunts-
ville, Barnes Store; Harveys Lake:
Lake Variety Store, Deater’s Store;
Fernbrook, Reese’s Store; Sweet Val-
ley,, Britt's Store
Restaurant,
When requesting a change of ad-
dress subscribers are asked to give
their old as well as new address.
Allow two weeks for changes of ad-
dress or new subscription to be placed
on mailing list.
We will not be responsible for the
return of unsolicited manuscripts,
photographs and editorial matter un-
less self-addressed, stamped envelope
is enclosed, and in no case will this
material be held for nore than 30 days.
National display advertising rates 63c
per column inch.
Transient rates 70c. 2
Local display advertising rates ' 60c
per column inch; specified position 70c
per inch,
Political advertising $1.10 per inch.
Advertising copy received on Thurs-
dy: will be charged at 75¢ per. column
wen.
Classified rates 4c per word. Mini-
mum charge 75c. All charged ads
10c additional.
Unless paid for at advertising rates,
we can give no assurance that an-
nouncements of plays, parties, rum-
mage sales or any affairs for raising
money will appear in a specific issue.
_ Preference will in all ‘instances be
given to editorial matter which has
pot previously appeared in publication.
Editor and Publisher
HOWARD W. RISLEY
Associate Editors
MYRA ZEISER RISLEY
MRS. T. M. B. HICKS
Sports Editor
WILLIAM HART
Advertising Manager
ROBERT F. BACHMAN
ONLY
YESTERDAY
From The Post of ten and
twenty years ago this week.
From The Issue Of
January 16, 1942
First National Bank, closing one
of its most successful years, re-
elects all officers and directors. C.
A. Frantz is president, Sterling Ma-
chell vice president.
F. B. Schooley is named a dir-
ector of Rural Building And Loan.
Fred M. Kiefer * attends annual
Explorer's Club dinner at the Pla-
za Hotel in New York, meeting
Lowell Thomas and Vladimer
Steffanson.
Pupils return to Lehman schools
as measles starts to wane. At the
peak of the epidemic, thirty seven
children were absent.
Mr, and Mrs. S. N. Goss, Claude
Street, hear that their daughter
Ila’s husband, James Mason, was
shot down on New Years Eve by
a Japanese plane, and that he is
being invalided home, A cigarette
lighter touched toa piece of rag
attracted the attention of the res-
cuing plane over the Pacific.
Plans are being laid for forma-
tion of an auxiliary police associa-
tion to serve during the national
emergency.
Skating is good at Harveys Lake,
with lake completely frozen and
free of snow.
Cabbage, 3 cents per pound;
sweet potatoes, 5 cents per pound;
table syrup, 2% can, 10 cents;
rolled oats, 20 oz. package, 7
cents; tomato soup, 3 cans for 20
cents.
Rev. Russel J. May, for four
years pastor at Shavertown Meth-~
odist Church, will enter YMCA
work at Fort Slocum, N. Y.
Announcement has been made
of the marriage of Alma Emma
Crispell, Noxen, to Ernest 8S.
Brown, Vernon, December 24.
First Aid classes will start next
week at Dallas Borough High
School, with a registration of 175.
Knitters are busy in the Back
Mountain, turning out socks and
sweaters.
Mrs. Elizabeth Erb, Trucksville’s
oldest resident, celebrates her
ninety-second birthday by knitting
socks for the Red Cross.
Have Baby Boy
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Smith, Pio-
neer Avenue, have announced the
birth of a baby boy at General
Hospital, January 10. Mrs. Smith
is the former Eleanor Landells of
Springfield, Mass. Mr. Smith is son
of the late Mr. and Mrs. Crawford
Smth of Wyoming Avenue. They
have a daughter, Susan Jane.
8 —
THE DALLAS POST
“More than a mewspaper, SAFETY VALVE
a community institution” || ge
PALMS TO THE RED CROSS
Goodleigh Farm
January 14, 1952
Dear Editor,
So many times I have heard
people displeased with the Red
Cross.
Here is an experience which may
be a consolation to many families
whose boys are away from home.
We received news a few days
ago that Mrs. Walter Weir was to
undergo an operation. Her son,
Walter Weir, Jr., is at Camp Pen-
dleton, California, with the Mar-
ines.
At 6 P. M. on Wednesday I tele-
phoned Arch Brooks to ask him
whom to call at the Red Cross to
see if young Walter could come
home. He gave me the Red Cross
telephone number and referred me
to Clair Borland.
Mr. Borland responded imme-
diately. I gave him the information
and the address only once. With
pencil and paper he took down the
doctor's name, address, and tele-
phone number to verify the
statements.
Before 7 P. M. I learned from
the Red Cross that contact had
been made with the California Red
Cross, and that Walter would be
advised to report to his command-
ing officer, who in turn would con-
tact the Red Cross Field Director.
“But”, I said, “he hasn’t enough
money to fly home”. I was then
assured that the Red Cross would
advance the money.
I immediately put in a long dis-
tance: call to Camp Pendleton, and
in fifteen minutes our local opera-
tor reported that they would have
Walter on the telephone in ten
minutes.
In ten minutes Walter was on
the line. I told him to go to his
commanding officer, tell him the
news, and that everything would
be arranged for him by the Red
Cross.
Later in the evening Arch
Brooks called to find out if there
would be anything he could do and
to ask if the Red Cross had re-
ported. We assured him of the
complete cooperation Wwe had re-
ceived. \
The next day at 3 P. M. Red
Cross headquarters called to say
that Walter had left by plane at
6:40 A. M. California time, and
would be in La Guardia Field at
11 P.M.
I feel that this performance war-
rants shouting from the housetops,
as so many people are quick to
criticize.
This has been my experience,
and I shall always be grateful to
the Red Cross.
Quote me if you wish.
Mary Weir.
Editor's note: Quote you? We
printed the whole thing. With the
annual Red Cross drive coming up,
the information couldn’t have
come at a better time.
FROM PHYLLIS SMITH
January 10, 1952
Happy New Year Myra & Howard,
Thank you so much for the
kind publicity. Little did we ever
think we would become two foot-
prints on the sands of time in
the Back Mountain Area.
I am in Providence now with
Ida Lee. She had to give up
teaching and is in bed most of
the time these winter days. The
flesh may be weak but the spirit
is still undaunted and we are hav-
ing more fun than you could think
possible. Ida Lee's head hasn't
dulled any and her daughter has
to go some to keep well enough
informed to converse intelligently
with her. Mother says she can
die happy if J. Howard McGrath
is exposed for what he really is.
We are reading some old Dickens
favorites and right now are chuck-
ling over the Pickwick Papers.
What a humorous writer Dickens
was and his understanding of
human nature simply superb. We
are also giving Shaw a whirl but
the system can only stand so
much Shaw at one time I think.
Howard will be interested to
know that I edited the Christmas
issue of the “Splash” which is to
the Ranch what “The Crimson” is
to Harvard. It was a fat and
somewhat grotesque issue, but the
Sarckas claim, the best to date.
It was fun and you would be
amazed at the good writing done
(Continued on Page Six)
Money ey you need it
Convenient Monthly Payments
ERSONAL LOANS
FOR
e INCOME TAXES
eo INSURANCE PREMIUMS |
eo EDUCATIONAL TUITION
e PROPERTY AND. HOME
QUICK o COURTEOUS = CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE’
WYOMING NATIONAL BANK
OF WILKES-BARRE
§ ‘Barnyard Notes
Myra and I are indebted to Joe and Charlotte MacVeigh for a id
beautiful book.
It was Tuesday morning, one of the dreariest days of the year,
when Joe dropped in grinning and handed Myra, “Stalking Birds
With Color Camera.”
Written by Arthur A. Allen, professor of Ornithology at Cornell
University, it contains 331 color illustrations, 264 made by Dr.
Allen, whose contributions on birds to the National Geographic
Magazine have covered a span of seventeen years. %
I have never seen any book on birds to compare with it—not eve;
Audubon’s beautiful paintings.
In the course of making the photographs, Dr. Allen covered large
areas of the United States, Canada, Alaska and Mexico. ‘The narra-
tive accompanying the photographs tells of his intimate association
wih birds over a span of fifty-one years—an association that often
called for observation of birds’ activities hours at a time from a
blind only an arm’s length from the nest. 3 :
Most of the plates and much of the material first appeared in:
the National Geographic Magazine which assumed the cost of the
color engravings over a period of years. Sli
In his introduction to “Stalking Birds with Color Camera”, Gil-
bert Grosvenor, president of the National Geographic Society, says:
“Preparation of the 331 color engravings and the 93 in monochrome
exclusively for the limited edition of this book would have been so
expensive as to make the price of a volume prohibitive. Neverthe-
less seventy-two color plates, never before published, have been
included. The Society is happy and proud to make available to bird
lovers in a single volume at a nominal price this magnificant collec-
tion of Dr. Allen’s natural color photographs and his fascinating
narrative of his studies and experiences.” 3
If you are one who delights in the pleasure of observing feathered
neighbors and who would like to share that experience with others
by all means beg, borrow or steal $7.50 and send it to the National
Geographic Society, Washington, D. C. for a copy.
Interestingly enough some of the most delightful pictures were
taken by Dr. Allen in the vicinity of his home at Ithaca.
Among those that stand out are a robin approaching her nest to
feed her young; a bluebird poised on a pink Hollyhock; a Cedar Wax-
wing balanced on a vineberry branch feeding four pink mouthed
youngsters; an Indigo Bunting feeding its foster child, a cowbird,
nestled in a wild rose.
But it is unfair to select any above others; some of the most ap-
pealing are those of sparrows, black-capped chickadees, nuthatches,
wrens, blue jays and orioles. :
The book’s 328 pages are filled to overflowing with large sections
devoted to game birds, waterfowl, humming birds and owls. But
get it. Any words of mine are poor to describe such a fund of
knowledge and of beauty. :
Again we want to thank Joe and Charlotte for a book that will
mean hours of pleasure and enjoyment over a period of many years.
I missed the story last week, when I told of Emily Besecker’s ex-
perience with the owl that fell stunned outside her window.
When she picked it up, she thought it was dead. Taking it in the
house she forced a couple of drops of whiskey down its throat with
2 medicine dropper and could feel its heart begin to beat. She took
it out on the porch railing but it sat their dazed until she gave it
several more drops. Its claws gripped her finger until they drew
blood, and its heart beat rapidly. Again she placed it on ‘the rail-
ing and that time, fully recovered and full of life, it flew away.
Last year she had a similar experience with a flicker that flew
against her picture window with such a thud that he dropped to the
ground, dead—or so she and Jim thought. She took him in the
house and administered a few drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia.
The bird failed to respond, and Jim, convinced he was dead, said
“that one will never come through.” After he left the house, Emily
gave the flicker a few more drops. He perked up. She set him on
the porch railing and shortly he soared away. :
Those who have had canaries, frequently subject to heart attacks
and fainting spells, are familiar with this treatment to which many
apparently “dead” birds respond.
Shavertown Board
Gives 1951 Reports .-
Shavertown Methodist Church
Official Board met in the Sunday
School room Tuesday night and
gave reports for 1951, all of which
showed
previous years. Dr. Closterman was
appointed to the finance commit-
tee and Mr. Haycox to the pastoral
relations - committee.
Johnson, Mrs. James Martin, Mrs.
J. H. Godtfring, Mrs. Gordon Ed-
wards, Mrs. Floyd Sisco, Mrs. Mar-
tin Porter,
Yeager,
Poad, George Jacobs, John Hen-
ninger,
Morgan,
Tippett, John Coon, Thomas Gra-
ham, Willard Durbin, Leroy Dur-
and, Fred Howell and I. L. Brace.
Entertain Friends
Shaver Avenue,
tertained a number of friends Sat-
urday night. They were Mr. and
Mrs. Myron Williams of Harveys
Lake, Mr. anad Mrs, Clifford Gar-
ris of Fernbrook and Mr. and Mrs.
Byron Ide of Trucksville.
Bill Jones walked
round and round
a definite increase over
Present were: Mrs, Stephen
Percy Hart, Howard
Lewis Underwood, Ted
A. G. Eddinger,
Frank Morrison,
Thomas
Herbert
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Lavelle,
Shavertown, en-
Bill Jones walked ‘round
“and ‘round. He lived from
one pay day to another. He
was in a squirrel’s cage. He
could not get ahead finan-
cially until . . .
Until phe decided to save
one-tenth of his salary
every pay day in a savings
account at The Kingston
National Bank. :
Then he began to have a
reserve, to enjoy security.
His financial worries grad-
ually melted away. ¢
MEDICAL—DENTAL BILLS: e
HOSPITAL CHARGES ®
STORE BILLS e
IMPROVEMENTS _e
Invest in security. Pay
yourself first. :
Open Friday Afternoons
Until 5 P.M. -
For Your Convenience
THE KINGSTON
NATIONAL BANK
at Kingston Corners °
Member Federal Deposif
Insurance Corporation
®