86 
THE GUIDE TO NATURE 
Photographic Initials of Poultry. 
Through the kindness of “The Poul- 
try Item,” Sellersville, Pennsylvania, 
we publish a cut of the photographic 
initials P. P. F. formed by the single 
comb white Leghorns, and taken at the 
Pennsylvania Poultry Farm, Lancas- 
ter, Pennsylvania. Most of us have 
seen the American dag and other de- 
signs made with human beings prop- 
erly arranged, and some elaborate fig- 
ures of the soldiers during the war, a 
comparatively easy task as the actors 
were under orders and would “stay 
put.” But this poultry farm excels us 
at ArcAdiA if the owners can make a 
white Leghorn hen stay for half a min- 
ute where she is put. 
Another thing that interests us in 
this unique photograph is the fact that 
the hens are so evenly distributed over 
the letters. We suppose the design was 
marked out with food attractive to 
these restless birds, but that does not 
solve the problem. According to our 
experience with white Leghorns, in 
such conditions they would pile them- 
selves together two or three deep in 
one spot, eat that place clean and pro- 
ceed to clear up another without the 
slightest hesitation. 
Observe that there are only six or 
seven scattering or detached hens in 
the entire picture. With so big a flock 
it is astonishing that so few were af- 
flicted with the hen’s usual lack of com- 
mon sense, especially among hens so 
nervous as the white Leghorn. We un- 
derstand that the white Leghorns at 
the Pennsylvania Poultry Farm are 
good layers. “The Poultry Item” has 
published their remarkable record. But 
the magazine has not done justice to 
the photographer’s skill nor to the un- 
usual common sense of the hens 
— or shall we say their commendable 
obedience ? 
We therefore offer our appreciation 
of the photographer’s technique, and 
feel sure that even the professional 
artist will recognize the difficulties that 
have been so perfectly overcome. In 
regard to the docility of the hens we 
are speechless. 
Our Camping Place. 
Around our camping place, 
As far as we can see. 
Unbroken forest reigns, 
In its entirety. 
Tiers on tiers of trees 
In deepest living green, 
Rear majestic heads, 
And dominate the scene. 
With the ocean they compare 
As an impressive sight. 
Or with the mountains vast, 
Or starry hosts at night. 
Their breath, the breath of life, 
Is offered free to all 
Who leave for such retreat 
A city roof and wall. 
— Emma Peirce. 
