VISITORS

The Community Building at Paradise Valley was planned, and is at present utilized for, the Nature Guide Headquarters but when it was opened on the first day of July we found that a pair of Juncos had already established themselves and were claiming "squatters rights". High up in one of the dormer windows they had built their nest and the antics of the parent birds in rearing their family of three fledglings was a feature of constant interest to those who visited the Wild Flower Display or who gathered there for the daily Nature Walks. Came the time when one ambitious youngster, anxious to try his wings, succeeded in scrambling over the side of the nest. But his efforts at flight were in vain. He "flopped" in a very ignoble manner to the floor below amid the excited chirping of the older birds who tried to check the unexpected maneuver. We placed the wayward one in a old Robin's nest that had been in one of our displays -- for which he should have been very grateful for the mother bird made regular pilgrimages to this improvised "orphan's home" to feed her prodigal. Finally after several days the youngsters, including the two who had remained in the nest, did manage to make a successful solo flight and not long thereafter we noticed that the nest which had been a regular and interesting "exhibit" was deserted. We hope that the young Juncos learned a lesson from the experience of the over-ambitious fledging and keep out of trouble.

About the time of the Junco doings a Blue Grouse decided that the Community Bldg. wasn't such a bad place to roost. So she, too, adopted us and visitors were first startled -- then extremely interested -- when they heard the whir of her wings and looked up to see this bird strutting about on the hudge Alaska Cedar rafters, much like an ordinary hen would do in the barnyard.

Grouse and Juncos are often seen on our Nature Walks but seldom are we favored with natural "exhibits" such as this obliging pair furnished.