NATURE NOTES - 1953
DATE AUTHOR TITLE
BOTANY
Feb. 53 Jackson, Jim The Budding Trees - About winter buds.
May. 53 Some fifty of our members were present at the Botany
field trip to Rockwoods on April 19.  Eating lunch in a
snowstorm was a new experience for most.  Had several
guests, Dr. & Mrs. Boucher from Jefferson City, Jim
Jackson from Cape Girardeau, and Dr. and Mrs. 
Capps from the MDC Educational Division.
Jun. 53 The Vagabond Dreamer The Lost Orchid - List of species observed on a May
17, 1953 trip to Pickel Springs.
Oct. 53 Botany Breakfast, Sunday, Oct. 25, Rockwoods 
Reservation.  A field trip will follow.
Nov. 53 Report on the Botany Breakfast of Oct. 25
Dec. 53 The Vagabond Dreamer Missouri's Blue Violets (Viola missouriensis) - A
(Oscar Petersen) poem about violets blooming and the emotions inspired.
CONSERVATION
Jan. 53 Comfort, James F. A National Problem - Account of an unpleasant 
camping trip to the Theodore Roosevelt National 
Memorial Park in western North Dakota.  The park and
the campground were overrun with grazing white-faced
cattle.  The few dollars the government receives for 
grazing rights seem inconsequential in light of the 
environmental damage done by the grazing animals.
Mar. 53 Owens, Virgil H.  Conservation - A Definition - An essay.
Nov. 53 Vivion Henry has again organized a Conservation Club
at the Kirkwood Junior High School.  
ENTOMOLOGY
Aug. 53 Mary's Moth - Report from Miss Pearl Eastham's 
Second Grade Class at Bristol School about the 
emergence of a Cecropia moth from a cocoon brought
to school in a jar by Mary.
ORNITHOLOGY
Jan. 53 Comfort, James Earl In Defense of the Bird Lister and Rarity Seeker
Jan. 53 Comfort, James Earl Christmas Bird Count Notes at the Busch area at
Weldon Springs.  Species seen:  59; 3296 individuals.
Several birds unusual for winter were spotted.
Jan. 53 O'Byrne,  May Back Yard Bird Viewing
Feb. 53 Residents of Nassau County amazed at the sight of 
a white pelican on Mill Neck Pond.  May have been
blown there by a storm.  (Article in the New York 
Herald Tribune)
Feb. 53 Comfort, James Earl 1952 in Review - Extensive
Feb. 53 O'Byrne, S.L.  Christmas Census in St. Charles County
Mar. 53 The Ornithology Group wants to visit the booming 
ground of Prairie Chickens sometime in April and
will welcome any information as to the nearest 
localities where they may be heard.  
Mar. 53 A List of the Birds Seen in the St. Louis Area in 1952
Mar. 53 Comfort, James Earl January Birding
Apr. 53 Comfort, James F. Pre-Dawn Observations
Apr. 53 Annual Spring Bird Census in conjunction with the 
St. Louis Audubon Society.  Get up your own party,
limit territory to within a 50 mile radius of St. Louis, and
count species only.  Start early and stay late.  Become
a member of the Century Club.
May. 53 Comfort, James Earl Birding in Our Area
May. 53 Nest Building, Cowbird Fashion - An article in the 
Post-Dispatch about a cowbird that was caught by a 
string on its leg stated that the bird had apparently
been gathering the string for use in nest building.  
The writer received some suggestions.
May. 53 Hofsommer, Aphrodite      Bird, Genus Hofsommer? Mystery bird observed on a 
fishing trip 
May. 53 Tanner, Bruce Mexico, Mud and Memories - Installment I of an 
article  about experiences en route to Mexico, Mo., for
the prairie chicken booming.
May. 53 Annual Spring Bird Census in conjunction with the 
St. Louis Audubon Society.  See Apr. 53 notice above.
Jun. 53 Comfort, J. Earl Migration Notes
Jun. 53 Hofsommer, Ethyl More About the Mystery Bird -It has been identified by
the American Museum of Natural History as a parula
warbler that has lost its yellow pigment.
Jun. 53 A group warbler hunting at Creve Coeur were able to
study the difference between the yellow and black billed
cuckoos as two were found in the same willow tree.
Jun. 53 Mexico, Mud and Memories - Installment 2 of an 
article about experiences en route to Mexico for the 
prairie chicken booming.  (See May. 53 for Pt. 1)
Jul. 53 Evidence of successful nesting of mallards at the
Busch Area was obtained during the June census when
a pair with five ducklings was seen.
Jul. 53 Newman, Lester Preliminary Report on the Weldon Springs Bluebird 
Trail (Report 54 houses for 2.5 month period)- The
trail was begun in the Spring of 1952 by Rex Conyer's
Field and Forest Conservation Club.
Aug. 53 Audubon Meeting - The annual meeting of the Audubon
Society of Missouri will be held at Lake of the Ozark
State Park, Oct. 10-11, 1953.
Aug. 53 Conservation Agent Dennis Connor reports an unusual
abundance of green herons along the Meramec this year.
Aug. 53 Fall flocking of robins, grackles, starlings and redwings
observed at Tilles Park since mid-June, a little earlier
than usual.
Aug. 53 Lee Crail, former Waterfowl Biologist of the MDC, 
now working in Webster, wants to keep up his bird
observations as an amateur.
Sep. 53 Comfort, J. Earl Birding in Our Area
Sep. 53 Comfort, James F. An Owl Observation
Oct. 53 Jones, David The Illinois Pine Woods Sparrow
Oct. 53 Comfort, J. Earl Bird Notes
Oct. 53 Hath, Earl Adaptability of the English Sparrow
Nov. 53 Jones, David Two Distinguishable Alder Flycatchers in Missouri
Nov. 53 James F. Comfort Record of Barrow's Goldeneye Expunged - From a 
record of its sighting at Busch last March.  
Nov. 53 Odds and Ends - Miscellaneous items, mostly 
pertaining to birds.  (Botany item listed under Botany)
Dec. 53 Jones, David M. Birding in the Southeastern United States (Cont'd in
next issue)
Dec. 53  Comfort, J. Earl October and November Bird Reports
Dec. 53 Comfort, James F. Field Identification of Subspecies - Comprehensive.
Dec. 53 Fourteen muskrats were seen mingling with mallards
on the ice on a lake at Weldon.
Dec. 53 Annual Christmas Bird Count, Ranken (Beaumont
Boy Scout Area), 8 AM, Sunday, Dec. 27.  This count
is in conjunction with the nationwide Christmas census
sponsored by the National Audubon Society.  Leader:
J. M. Magner.
PEOPLE
May. 53 Comfort, James F. Thank you note for suppprt he received during his two
years as WGNSS president.
Jun. 53   Massie, Bertha "Days Without Time" - Excerpt from Edwin Way Teale
book telling how Phil Rau became a famous amateur
entomologist.
Jun. 53 A "new design" WGNSS membership card displays
a reproduction of the Grossenheider European Tree
Sparrow.
Jun. 53 Arthur Bennett has undergone a serious operation in
the V.A. Hospital in Denver on April 6.
Jun. 53 Already botany sharp, Helen Bowman is increasing her
knowledge on local fauna at Harris Teachers College.
Jul. 53 Joe Castelli has given most of his free summers to the
Boy Scouts for the past 20 years  and this year they 
are on the road for a well deserved two+ month tour 
of the West.
Jul. 53 Jim Jackson is visiting various camps this summer 
as representative of the MDC and astounding campers
by his bility to call the owls and whip-poor-wills to the 
campfire.  
Conservation Agent Dennis Connors and another
Jul. 53 agent saved two boys from drowning in the lower
Meramec.
On Friday, June 19, 1953, Ernestine presented "Robin",
a new playmate to Jay and Chippie Magner.
Dec. 53 Gene Wilhelm has been inducted into the Army.
Dec. 53 Ernestine Magner and Elisha Atkins appeared on the
St. Louis Audubon Society's program on KFUO on Nov.
27.
Dec. 53 Jack Van Benthuysen has a new son.
MISCELLANEOUS
Feb. 53   Hughes, Jessie A. Owed to Patient Naturalists (Poem)
Apr. 53 Neill, Julian The Job Is Ours - To teach people not to fear harmless
snakes.  Relates story of a snake that escaped from
his classroom and was killed by a cab driver, to
the dismay of his students.  
Apr. 53 Comfort, James Earl The Influence of the Nature Study Society on the 
Community - Historical Survey of WGNSS accomplish-
ments and programs.  Excerpts from a speech
given at the A.A.A.S. Convention.  Stresses that
many Scout leaders are members of nature clubs and
many Scouts join their leader's club.  Has not yet
found a delinquent who was an active member of a 
nature organization.
Jul. 53 Massie, Joel and Bertha Hiking in Glacier National Park--Memories of 1942.
(To be continued, next issue)
Jul. 53 Run down of vacation plans for a number WGNSS 
members.  
Aug. 53 Massie, Joel and Bertha Hiking in Glacier National Park - Memories of 1942.
(To be continued, next issue)
Au. 53 Schery, Robert W. Letter of thanks to WGNSS for "generous" contribution
to The Nature Conservancy.
Sep. 53 Massie, Joel and Bertha Hiking in Glacier National Park - Memories of 1942.
Oct. 53 Hughes, Jessie A. Five Came Back - From the Audubon Camp at Hog
Island, Maine.  All were from St. Louis and WGNSS 
members.  Lester Newman, this year's winner of the
Audubon Award for outstanding achievement, was 
included in the number.  
Nov. 53 Hill, Helen Bonaventure Adventure - Maine vacation.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Mar. 53 Nominating Committee - The following Committee has
been appointed by the President:
     Miss Helen Bowman - Chairman
     Miss Frances Pickel and Mrs. Waldemar Palm,
       members. 
Suggestions will be welcomed.
May. 53 At recent Executive Board two proposals were dis-
cussed and will be discussed at the next General 
Meeting of the membership.  The first was to assist in
a nature project at the Lutheran Orphan's Home in 
Des Peres.  The other was to investigate possible 
affiliation with the Sportsmen's League.
Jun. 53 Scott, Dorian Change of Editors - Florence Comfort will succeed
as Editor.
Jun. 53 Earl Hath, V.P. in charge of membership, is anxious 
to make his job a working and productive one.  If you
know someone who would make a good member, let 
him know, and he will extend an invitation to join and
send them three free issues of Nature Notes.  We need
to dispel the notion that WGNSS is a relatively closed
organization.  
Aug. 53 Bowman, Helen History's Long Shadow - History of St. Charles County.
MEETINGS
Jan. 53 General Field Trip, Sunday, Jan. 11, 8 AM, Busch 
Wildlife Area, 8 AM.  Meeting at main gate; bring lunch.
Jan. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, Jan. 16, 
at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Earl Hath, 2109 Briar-
gate, Kirkwood.  Subject:  "Kodachromes".  All
members should bring their best slides for viewing.
Feb. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, Feb. 13,at
the home of Mr. & Mrs. Clinton Day, 18 E. Glenwood
Lane, Kirkwood, Mo.  Mr. Earl Hath will show a movie
"Canadian Wildlife" and Mr. Robert Schery will talk on
"The Objectives of The Nature Conservancy".  
Mar. 53 General Field Trip, Sunday, March 8, 8 AM, to
August Busch Area,a Weldon Springs.  Ducks and 
early migrants should be abundant.
Mar. 53 General Field Trip, Sunday, March 29, Shaw's Garden
Arboretum at Gray Summit, Mo.  The magnificent 
variety of jonquils should be in bloom.
Apr. 53 WGNSS Annual Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, April 10, at the
Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E. Lockwood.  
Election of officers and annual reports of officers and
group chairmen.  Dr. Edgar Anderson of  Shaw's 
Garden and Washington University will talk on 
"What are Species and Why Bother?".  This was one
of the Washington University Centennial lectures.
Apr. 53 General Field Trip, Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, 
to Mexico, Missouri, to see prairie chickens on their
booming grounds.  
Apr. 53 General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, April 12, to August
A. Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs, Mo.  This is
the regular monthly census.  If you don't go to Mexico,
please come.
General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, May 10, August A.
May. 53 Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs, Mo.  This is the
regular monthly census; bring a picnic basket and make
a day of it.
May. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, May 15, at
the home of Joel and Bertha Massie, 5777 De 
Giverville St., St. Louis.  The Massie's will show 
"Trip to the Smokies".
Jun. 53 Report on May census at Weldon, where 112 species
were listed.  This year coverage has been very complete,
and we should break all records on species listed.
Jun. 53 Basket Vacation Supper, 6 PM, Friday, June 12, at
the home of Mr. & Mrs. Waldemar Palm.  Our annual
pre-vacation get-to-gether.  
Jun. 53 General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, Jun. 14, August A.
Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs, Mo.  This is the
nesting season, so a more thorough survey can be 
made. Meet at the main gate.
Jul. 53 General Field Trip, Sunday, July 12, 8 AM at August
A. Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs.  Only 
the enthusiastic will make this.  If your enjoyment of 
the outdoors overbalances the inconveniences of 
ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, poison ivy, hot weather, and
a relatively unexciting birding season, you will be there.
Aug. 53 General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, Aug. 9, August
A. Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs.  Shorebirds
are on, and possibly early migrants or fall wanderers.
Sep. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 6:30 PM, Friday, Sept. 11,
at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Earl Hath, 2109 Briar-
gate Lane, Kirkwood.  This will be a picnic supper, with
grills available.
Sep. 53 General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, Sept. 13, August
A. Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon Springs, Mo.  Fall
migrants will be in full numbers.
Oct. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, Oct. 9, at
the home of Mr. & Mrs. David Jones, 531 Garden,
Webster.  Arthur Lieser will present "The Rocky 
Mountains from Colorado to Canada".
Oct. 53 Audubon State Meeting, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-
11th, Lake of the Ozarks.  Program, lined up by Jim
Jackson, given in detail.
Oct. 53 General Field Trip, 8 AM, Sunday, Oct. 13, August
A. Busch Wildlie Area, Weldon Springs, Mo. Botanists
are  urged to attend.
Nov. 53 Monthly Census at Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon 
Nov. 53 Springs, 8 AM, Sunday, Nov 8.  Meet at Main Gate.
Come and help find those rare westerns.
Nov. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, Nov. 13, at
Nov. 53 the home of Mrs. & Mrs. Marshall Magner, 516 Bacon,
Webser Groves.  Beulah Bedell, Frances Pickel, and 
Irmgard Schnaedelbach will show slides and talk 
about the "Chiricahua Mountains and Oak Creek 
Canyon of southern Arizona".
Nov. 53 General Field Trip to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge,
near Puxico, Mo., Sat.-Sun., Nov. 14 and 14.
Dec. 53 Weldon Notes - Report on the November Census.
Dec. 53 WGNSS General Meeting, 8 PM, Friday, Dec. 11, at
the home of Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Hofsommer, 630 Lee,
Webster Groves.  A Missouri Conservation Commission
movie will be shown.  
Dec. 53 Monthly Census at Busch Wildlife Area, Weldon 
  Springs, 8 AM, Sunday, Dec. 13.  Meet at the main 
gate.