Ferndale Union High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Ferndale, CA)

Page 26 text:

Uhr milh Ilinml nf ignmhnlht Qlmmtg The wild fowl of Humboldt County are thinning out and it will not be long before a closed season must be put on several species for a period of several years. Formerly ducks, quail and wild I pigeons were so plentiful that no thoughts were hiven for their future welfare and as a result the pigeons are nearly all gone and ducks and quail are not nearly as plentiful as formerly. The wild duck flight begins in this county about the first of November, so that fine shoot- ing is to be ha-l before the heavy storms and high water comes. There are many variety of duck on the marshes, the most conspicous being the mallard, teal, widgeon, sprig, canvasback, and bluebill, and in addition to these are the spoonbill, pintail, butterball, and other varieties. Most of the marshes of the county are under the control of gun clubs, who feed the ducks and thus hold them for a time on the marshes while they are on their migratory flight. Fine quail shooting is to be had in some parts of Humboldt County, espec- ially in the Bear River and Mattole sections. lt is but the work of a few hours for an average hunter to shoot the limit in either of these sections. However, the quail soon go back into the hills after the opening of the sea- son and it is quite a tramp to find them. ln the more remote parts of the county a fortunate hunter may stumble on a covey of mountain quail, These quail are a good deal larger than the common valley quail and are very swift in flight. They have beautiful plumage and when mounted are very pretty indeed. For a couple of years past, the vermin, hawks and cold weather has killed off an unlimited number of young quail and thus checked the sport to some extent. In the matter of wild pigeons, it has been necessary to stop the shooting of these girds, for a number of years, as they have been almost exterminated. These birds formerly came into the county by thousands and in great flocks but they are now seldom seen. There are still a number of snipe in the county and fine shooting may be had in the marshland and valleys. These birds are extremely hard to hit as they fly in a peculiar twisting fashion, wheeling from one side to the other. They are a little smaller than a quail and have a beak about three inches long which makes them look peculiar. They are very fine eating. Back in the hills, around Briceland and Garberville, is another game bird called the blue grouse. This bird is about the size of a chicken and is very peculiar in its habits. In the winter it stays on the ground and lives on acorns but in the fall it stays on the very top of the tall pine trees, and it is almost 22 K! if 7.45 lit? I3 f ff -azz , the 51 J' if ll E. lla ' ti if

Page 25 text:

31 Zllemrmhrr, 31 Illrmvmher I remember, I remember the schoolhouse by the creek, The cobwebs in the corners, and the roof that used to leak. I remember how the Sophies in the drippings that came down, Used to sail their little boatlings, pleasure-craft of great renown. I remember, I remember the fumes 'of horrid smell As they floated from the Chem. Lab. down the corridor, and fell On us-cold and wet and tardy, as we hovered 'round the heat That came through the iron gratings, to our chilled and soggy feet. I remember how we struggled with the angles and the planes Of Geometry the blessed,-for it gave us growing pains. I remember, I remember that English, Oh so hard- And the little P's and minus F's that sprinkled well my card. I remember how in winter, the thermometer went down To fifty-two and forty-eight, and lower-I'll be bound, Till in History and Drawing we would get so awful cold That our brains froze up quite solid, and our fingers wouldn't hold Our pencils and our compasses and all our drawing stuff g Then we'd fling them in a little drawer and rush off in a huff. I remember how in Study Hall we used to tap our feet, But our teacher didn't like it, so she led us, smiling sweet Q Pj To the office where we lingered thirty minutes after school Wfhile we listened to a lecture on the breaking of a rule. I remember-but I must not remember any more For we love the dear old High School as we never did before, All the struggles and the lectures and the lessons, and the-lack- Make us long for just those pleasures that will never more come back For you know it doesn't matter ,bout the building and the books, 'Bout the leakings, and the coldness and the dust, and dingy looks, ltls the steadfastness of purpose, and the loyalty and pride As we worked to make our High School best in all the country side, 'T was our love for one another, and our energy and vim As we fought as team or rooters that the Red and VVhite might win. 'T was the fun we had together at our dances and our plays, As we romped along together in our happy, carefree days. So Good Bye to work and playtime in our high school by the creek, IrVith the water in the basement, and the roof that used to leak. 21

Page 27 text:

impossible to find it. It gives a peculiar hoot that can be heard a long way off. Several years ago a new kind of game bird was introduced into thecounty. T his was the Chinese pheasant, As yet no season has been established on them and it is still unlawful to shoot them. The trouble with the pheasant is that she makes her nest in the grain fields just as the grain is ready to cut and almost all of the nests are run over and the eggs broken by the mowing machines. Brant and geese are not as plentiful as they might be although one some- times gets a few shots at the honkers as they sail along on their migratory flight. FRANK FRANCIS, 717. Ignnka I wish I could write a chronicle of mighty and valiant deeds. But I fear theres nothing heroic about me. To be truly heroic, I think one must possess the finest and most admirable qualities. hor instance N aponeon Bonaparte, who has gained world-wide fame as a fighter, does not appeal to me as much as the scientists, physicians, explorers, and missionaries who regardless of personal danger or cost give their lives for the good of humanity. It is true l have made many wonderful journies on land and sea as well as in the airg and I have had also many wonderful adventures. But of course only in the spirit. As usual I have spent most of my time with my books, because I prefer books to any other recreation, and it has come upon me of late, what a great privilege is mine to be acquainted with great men and women, although I have never met them in the flesh. They give me, however, their greatest and noblest thoughts. My heart thrills with Sir VValter Scott in his stories of chivalry, while I enter the homes of the poor with Charles Dickens. . I descend into the depths of the sea with Jules Vernes and see all the sub- marine wonders. I have ascended into the air with Ralphson, and shared the dangers of flying. y V. I have been instructed in the mysteries and wonders of the noble red man with Cooper. Have riden the bucking broncho, and shared the round-up with Bower. Once I was with Rex Beach, and jack London, during the gold rush in Alaska, and I have sweltered in the hot, and hunting jungles of India with Kipling. I have even been fighting the Boers in South Africa with Foran, but I was a traitor at heart because I sympathized with the enemy. After all, I find myself something of a hero, because at the time I lose my identity, and truly enter into the spirit of their adventures. Sometimes my mother and I enter the fields of poverty, but with the ex- ception of Longfellow, and Sir VValter Scott, my flights of fancy end, and I drop out. Perhaps I lack imagination, or those finer qualities I mentioned above. HAROLD PETERSEN, ,IQ 23