ioe BON. BULLETIN 47 
The Charm of Ravines 
O the uninitiated a ravine might well seem a place to be avoided. 
Steep sides, in rock formation frequently being almost or quite 
perpendicular, rough eroded bottoms generally crowded with a 
rank growth of vegetation, deep shade with perhaps a small stream or 
ools of water, all join to make physical objections to exploring ravines. 
There are, however, many unique attractions In ravines that offset 
the objections and male of these deeply eroded portions of the landscape 
a source of pleasure to the lover of the out-of-doors, whether the quest 
is in search of trees, birds, wild flowers, insects, or animals. 
Would you find maidenhair, fragile bladder or lady ferns, search 
first a ravine. If you would see rare wildflowers, and unusual trees and 
vines, a ravine will reveal not only many varieties but also a delightful 
perfection i in those discovered. Plant life growing in ravines has many 
advantages over that growing in the level places: rich soil washed down 
from the sides or carried in by streams, shelter from the wind and the 
hot summer sun, protection from cattle and marauding people by reason 
of difficult access. 
With these advantages it 1s also apparent why birds seek ravines for 
food, shelter, and nesting sites. 
If you wish to find birds on a hot summer day, when apparently 
there are none about, go to the nearest ravine. If in winter you think 
there are no birds hardy enough to stand the cold, you will be surprised 




Photo by Orpheus M. Schantz 
SwALLow Bank, PAtos PARK 
