St Lukes School - Oak Yearbook (Wayne, PA)

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The Dove Cote HORTI Y after Closing Ilav 19o4 Noah's Ark lioated', away from Wavne, and sank forever beneath the waters of oblix ion Farlx the next term on the site where the Ark had rested, was 4 r , 1 a ' , , , A v 5 ' v' . 4. , y K ' built the St. Luke's i eon farm ularlv known as Coane's s uab ranche. up.-- or r . Q- vi-3-cg. . . . . The school authorities stocked the farm with fifteen head of pigeons, later in the year the number was increased to sixteen. Nearly every kind of pigeon known was represented in the collection. Some of them were nothing but squabs, others too old and tough for broiling, and only suit- able for Mroastingf' The king of the flock Cself-appointed, to be sure, but none the less titular kingj is a rare variety of the Columbia turtur, or turtle dove. This bird, frequenting the thickest parts of the woods, its note plaintive and tender, is celebrated for the constancy of its affections, and is regarded as the most perfect emblem of connubial attachment. The handsome specimen in our pigeon farm rejoices in the name of 'Coane. It has a most affectionate nature, will light on any one's shoulder fpreferably a lady'sj, and take food from a person's lips. One peculiarity of this particular specimen, though raised in the dense woods, it has many of the homer's instincts, and is always trying to get out and Hy at night. Once it fiew past the Bellevue- Stratford and saw stock doves and Fantails feeding high. It did not go in, but rested on the sidewalk for a brief period, before flying homeward. It will be interesting to watch this turtle dove after its plaintive, tender note matures. The two most aggressive pigeons in the bunch are a couple of birds known as Forney and Gorton. Strictly speaking, Forney is a Giant Runt and Gorton a Cropper. Were it not for them the dove cote would enjoy comparative harmony. When the Cropper wishes to drink, he gets into the pan, and down from his perch comes the Giant-Runt. Feathers fly, blood flows, and occasionally the pan upsets. The other inmates for the time being become ring doves, and the merry war continues till the Cropper, true to his name, withdraws exhausted. The Giant-Runt, with flaming eye, throws back his head, and invites 46

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any one else to step into the ring, but the ring doves have all turned into homers and sought their perches, leaving the Giant-Runt, Forney, real king, although uncrowned. The most magnificent bird is a Queen's Pigeon having upon its head a beautiful tuft of red feathers. This bird is scientifically known as Kelly, locally as Fox. It displays at times, the instincts of the homers and carriers but never of the tumblers. It is the tallest bird in the lot. It leaves its perch late in the morning and seeks it late at night. It sleeps often between meals, but always manages to wake up when the birds are fed. It flies gracefully and makes very little noise about it. Its brilliant topknot makes it con- spicuous even while flying. It has powerful wings and is said to be the swiftest bird in the bunch. A fine specimen of the jumbo-Homer is known as Potts While not supposed to be as swift as the Queen's Pigeon for sustained flight, his powers are unsurpassed. He was captured on the shores of the Chesa- peake Bay and appears to thrive in captivity. His plumage is duller than Kelly's, but his beak is larger. His favorite roosting place is the porch roof of The Armitage School. He often goes there expressly to roost, but has learned to dread the Faculty shotgun. As harmless as a dove, was never better exemplified than in the case of eight little demure squabs, hardly feathered, distinguishable only by their names '-- Baker, Fillebrown, Gilpin, Griflith, Hazzard, Symons, Saxman and Skyring Smith. They lead a happy, innocent existence, using their wings awkwardly, and believing the Turtle Dove is king of the roost by divine right. They are easily alarmed, if any girl comes to inspect the dove cote they fuss all the time she is there. They enjoy, however, being fed by young hands and cluster, like the doves of St. Mark's, about them. The distance from their perch to the ground is a long one in their eyes. When the Wild Pigeon with the Green Feathers, called J. Budd Peale, tells them of his wild life in Englewood, they gaze at him in the same way the Turtle Dove Coane gazes at the stock doves and the Fantails inside the Bellevue-Stratford. The tamest bird is the big Tumbler called Liz, He is not at all shy and is easily caught. Let a hand appear and down he comes, ilutterin g his wings in his haste to light upon it. Liz is the largest squab in the bunch and ought to bring at least sixty cents a pair, He has a gentle disposition, but once in a while puts up a fight. He rashly asserted one day that his father occupied a higher perch in the world's dove cote than the Giant Runt's. Blood alone should decide. The Ring doves gathered round. The Tumbler and the Giant Runt sharpened their bills, and the jumbo-Homer, Potts, acted as referee. One round was fought. 47