HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 11, 1961 - The Towheew
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THE TOWHEE
Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven
by Paul Stoutenburgh
Focus on Nature Cuchogue
tell when he is heard in 'the "Wonderful" to mean "f u 1 I of
Today Keith McKenna is our can
inviting everyone around to wonder."
guest writer. He teaches Eng-
has a
woods
have some TEA." There we are. I am filled with
lish in Riverhead and
poetic hand that I am sure you What is "great" about a amazement and wonder and awe
can exist
will enjoy. —P.S.) Towhee? It must be obvious by that such a creature
about in the ap-
A Bird Watchers Manifesto
now that it's an emotional thing.
He touches a sensitive chord in
or even come
parently random order of nature.
By Keith McKenna, Brookhaven my own makeup. To borrow from Is it after all not random? Is
there a higher order, an eternal
The other day I was driving Emily Dickinson — These questions are not for
home from school with my reg- I feel for him a transport of
plan?
science. These are questions of
ular companions who have by now cordiality —' beauty and love and the soul. grown accustomed to interrup- The real question is not, They are a matter for the spirit
tions in whatever conversation
might be going on while I exclaim
What's 'Great' about a Tow-
is, "What's
and not for the mind.
I
over some bird which happens by heel" It rather,
great about any bird ?" or,
This then is my manifesto:
shall observe Nature in all her ,
at that moment. What's great about any living courses. I shall learn and record
There's a Towhee," I ex-
thing ?" or ,What's great about her body of factual information.
claimed. "That's a great l i t t l e Nature in her relation to God and I shall regard her with intellec-
bird!" Man ?" tual curiosity and communicate
My friend, heaving a sigh at the Once again it is a matter of as well as I can my findings to
now lost train of thought, turned feeling. It can be stated simply. others. When all this is done and
belligerently to me and asked, I love the Towhee. My "transport 1 may be concerned only w i t h
Would you mind telling me of cordiality" is, properly inter- myself, then I shall love her and
what's 'great' about it ?" preted, a feeling of passionate worship at her feet.
I mumbled some embarrassed devotion. FIELD OBSERVATIONS
reply, recognizing that the word But let me goon. Science Dennis Puleston reports: Brook -
certainly seemed a little exces- provides me with an excellent haven — May 25 - Blackpoll Warb
sive when considered in retro- tool. Through its works I may ler, Pine Warbler, W i l s o n s
spect; nevertheless I was moved learn and have learned. I may Warbler.
to think about the reasons I must discover that all sorts of things Brookhaven —May 31 Bobolinks
have had somewhere in the back can be found about the Towhee's Brookhaven — June 1 - Tennessee
of my mind to cause me to apply habits and movements. I read and Warbler
the word. What is written here is 1 file the information in my Brookhaven — June 2 Blackpoll
the result of my reflections. memory. Warbler, Red Crossbitls
Well, then, what is "great'
about a Towhee? It's a personal The trouble is that science Dennis Puleston, Arthur Cooley,
Jennifer Puleston, Peter Puleston
matter, I suppose. First, he's a doesn't answer my self- searching
It can't. What is report: Quogue — May 30 - West -
handsome little creature. His question.
Great" about a Towhee ?, I still ern Sandpipers, Knots, W h i t e-
colors are bright, and n a t_u r e
to have combined them in ask, and only my feelings answer, rumped Sandpipers, Northern
seems
the best of taste. Perhaps a poet is needed here.
Just now the woods around my
Phalarope.
Philip Hubert reports: Brook-
He presents an admirable pic- He
of industry, for he is always home are filled with wonderful haven — June 2 - Red Cfossbills
Henry Halama reports: Brook -
busy, and even when I see him little birds called warblers. They
in many colors and t hey haven — June 2 - Pine Grosbeak
eating I have the thought that he
is only prudently keeping up his
come
brighten the scene considerably. L R Ernest reports: Southamp-
ton — May 28 - Green Herons,
strength for the work which lies But look back a second = the
be and Lady Slippers have been bloom -
ahead.
Finally, he is an altogether
warblers may colorful
they certainly do brighten any ing, Broad - winged Hawk, Purple
Vireos
courteous individual, as anyone scene — but I used the w o r d Finch, Warbling