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Title
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Salt Basin Habitat Notes
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Creator
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Frank Shoemaker
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Description
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Frank Shoemaker - Omaha, Lincoln, and Nebraska Narratives
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Identifier
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321301
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Transcription
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Pinnated grouse I lived in Hampton, in central northern Iowa, from 1891 to 1896. From time to time during this period I had occasion to wait over for a train connection at a bleak crossing 22 miles south. One dull afternoon late in March, about 1892, I was the sole eastbound passenger to alight at Abbott Crossing. The train pulled out. If anyone was on duty in the tiny depot I did not see him; anyhow, I didn't need either service or consolation, and as it was quite obvious that there was more room outside than in the depot I was contented. Suddenly I heard the booming of a prairie chicken, a sound with which I was casually familiar. The depot was the only structure in the immediate vicinity, so I went around it for a better view of the bare prairie, the snow having all melted. The booming sound became louder, and at once I saw moving dark spots in a treeless area. I was viewing, from about 200 yards, my first assemblage of pinnated grouse doing their ceremonial prenuptial stuff. The birds must have quit their proceedings by reason of the arrival of the train. The first "boom" I had heard had already increased to an almost continuous rumble - a most thrilling sound. I could see the birds clearly, as their dance-ground had been closely grazed. Their movements were so erratic that I could not make a dependable count, but there must have been approximately 200 birds. After a few moments I decided to get close; but although I walked very slowly, by the time I had advanced ten yards the booming almost
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Rights
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To inquire about usage, please contact Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. These images are for educational use only. Not all images are available for publication.
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Is Version Of
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image-336.jpg
Salt Basin Habitat Notes