Look for Magpies

An interesting letter came the other day from R. K. Burns who is with the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Department of Embryology, in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Burns is a Pocahontas County native and he asks the cooperation of the readers of the Times to be on the lookout for magpies. Here is the most of his letter:

In June of this year I had part in the discovery of the magpie and nest with eggs in Canaan Valley, Tucker County -- something of great interest ornithologically because the American magpie is a bird of the far west and northwest, and a vary rare straggler in the east. In fact, this turns out to be the first recorded nesting east of a line through the Missouri Valley northbound to Lake Winnipeg.

Strange to say, however, we found that magpies have been in Canaan Valley for some years, unknown to any except a few local inhabitants. However, as a strange coincidence, a magpie was killed in May near Morgantown, and another was seen last fall for several days in Rockingham, County, Virginia. All of this makes one wonder if magpies are beginning to come east, and whether the cases just mentioned are in any way connected with the birds in Canaan Valley.

Fortunately the magpie is a large and conspicuous bird. It is much larger than a blue jay, but similar in shape, with a very long tail, but has no crest. It is boldly patterned with black and white; the entire upper body and tail are black but the belly and flanks are white, and when it flies there are enormous white patches in the wings. Once seen, you will know it.

Many people are on the lookout for the beautiful evening grosbeaks which come in winter. It would be interesting if they also kept a close watch for magpies and it would help make a valuable contribution to the natural history of West Virginia.

Sincerely,
R. K. Burns

Weather
This has been an unusually nice fall. But many signs point to a hard winter, many folks say. The corn husks were unusually heavy and the heavy leaf crop staying on the trees so late were both good signs. However, the wooly worms are black fore and aft with brown in the middle, forecasting cold early and late with mild weather in between.

Outdoor Notes
About 200 deer were reported killed in the county the first two days of the season, which is about a third down from the usual report. The number of hunters was about average for Monday, down some on Tuesday.

A Great Blue Heron was observed by Z. S. Smith, Jr., last week on the lake and pond on his farm. It stayed around for a while, moving from one pond to another. This is the largest of the Heron family. It is often called a Crane. One difference between Herons and Cranes is that Cranes fly with the neck extended at full length, while Herons draw up the neck. The Heron is a solitary bird, except during the breeding season, it stays near the water to feed on fish and other aquatic food.

ALPINE THEATRE
"Raymie"
David Ladd ~ John Agar
"The Naked Hills"
David Wayne ~ Keenan Wynn
"The Gazebo"
Glenn Ford ~ Debbie Reynolds
"The 3rd Voice"
Edmond O'Brien ~ Julie London

DEATHS
Richard Early Cutlip, age 77, of Beard
Anna Lee Ervine, age 77, of Huntersville
John Peterson Sharp, age 78, of Marlinton
Kenney Lee Puffenbarger, age 81, of Frank
George Washington Blake, age 62, of Hillsboro

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. George Fowler, of Hillsboro, a daughter named Nancy Carolyn

On Sale at the A & P Store
Iceberg Lettuce, 23 cents a head
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes, 19 1/2 once package, 43 cents
Miracle Whip, quart jar, 61 cents
Maraschino Cherries, 11 ounce jar, 33 cents
Super Right Lunch Meat, 12 ounce can, 45 cents
Jane Parker White Bread, two 16 ounce loaves, 37 cents