The Center Furnace Swamp 



BY RICHARD C. HARLOW 



Far up on the Nittany Plateau, shut off from the exterior 

 world by rugged ranges of hills, lies a swamp picturesque in 

 situation but ordinary in appearance, just a common, mud 

 swamp, yet one whose features are indelibly impressed upon 

 my memory. On all sides stretch the fertile farms of the valley 

 extending up and far away, until they are gradually absorbed 

 by the towering hills. To the east runs the Nittany Range 

 mile after mile, southward the Tusseys hoard many an orni- 

 thological treasure — the remnants of its primeval forest still 

 concealing the Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker and Raven — 

 against the western horizon rear the barren wastes of Bald Eagle 

 Range, while just behind it sweeps the main ridge of the Al- 

 leghanies. Yet of all this region of romantic beauty, of tower- 

 ing hills and fertile valleys, I do not intend to write, but of just 

 a plain, ordinary, mud swamp. 



Lying about two miles east of State College the Center Fur- 

 nace Swamp covers an area of perhaps five acres. Sticking up 

 here and there are gaunt stumps, which bear witness to a time 

 long since, when cedars were the characteristic " trees. Now 

 beautiful willows fringe the swamp-stream, that runs at one 

 side, and there a suflficient undergrowth has arisen to attract 

 those birds which like such haunts. The main body of the 

 swamp is covered with dense swamp-grass and dotted with 

 patches of cat-tails. Where the water is deepest, perhaps two 

 feet. Marsh Marigolds and water-cress grow rankiy and the 

 center of the swamp is marked by scattering shrubs. Altogether 

 it is an ideal spot for birds and one where they might live 

 unmolested, were it not for frequent invasion by gunners from 

 State College. 



Winter bird-life is not so abundant as it might be, but a 



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