REMARKS ON THE
THREE SPECIES
OF MOST INTEREST TO UNCLE BEAR:
One of my listed mammals is the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit,
(Sylvilagus floridanus), a very common creature in my part of the world. In
researching this rabbit, I discovered North Carolina has three more resident rabbits: The
Appalachian Cottontail (Sylvilagus obscurus) , the Marsh Rabbit, (Sylvilagus
palustris), and the Swamp Rabbit, (Sylvilagus aquaticus).
When I found the carcuss of a Waved Sphinx Moth, (Ceratomia
undulosa), I was amazed. What a beautiful life form. It looked great both to the
naked eye, and under a 24X microscope lens.
In my opinion the sight of a White-breasted Nuthatch, (Sitta
carolinesis), coming down the side of a wall or tree toward a meal, is terrific to
behold. I never tire of it.
With the exception of the mollusk, a killdeer, and two mushrooms all other
life forms were found within four blocks of my house. Thirteen out of fifteen birds were
spotted from the front porch. In addition, 29 of the 30 insects recorded were found on the
rose, tomato and butterly bushes by the porch.
Please allow me to give thanks to my silent partner, Naturalist Bruce
Beerbower, of The Catawba Science center, for his encouragement, and help in (especially)
tree identification. |