Wildlife Report 2, National Sillygraphic Society, 2 November 2012

FROM THE NEW WORLD¹

Dear readers,

Some weeks ago I returned soaking wet at the Ministry of Silly E-mails (MOSES) from my trip to the United States. At the one hand this was due to the fact that I had to struggle against hurricane Sandy, which sadly enough has caused great devastation at the East Coast... On the other hand this was caused by the ministerial transport system, the so-called ‘auto-pooling’. In order to save expenses and for reasons of environmental protection the Ministry has, alas!, decided to let it’s civil servants travel through the pond in the back garden of Villa Dark Horse. Although extremely fast, in a few seconds I found myself right in the middle of The Common, Boston’s largest public park, this way of travelling has some disadvantages in regard to the level of humidity...

Apart from that, my journey has given me extraordinary new insights in the flora and fauna of the New World. It truly is a World of Wonders! While studying the scientific data in MOSES’ library in the past few weeks, I was confronted with the most surprising results!

First to be mentioned is a bird which is able to read! I sighted this species at Arlington, the large National Cemetery in Washington D.C.This small grey bird is called the Mocking Bird and with good reason. Although it clearly stated that it was breeding, that wasn’t the case at all! On the contrary! It is true, my journey was noticeable for some formidable summery weather, but in spite of that Autumn had arrived and the chicks of this Mocking Bird had since long and completely feathered left the parental territory. So you see: nothing, absolutely nothing and no one can be trusted, even if it is chiselled in stone! By the way, this Mocking Bird sings extremely well. Fortunately I had the opportunity to record this, so you can listen to its beautiful song on the website in a few months. 

Not only the birds mock you in the New World. No, you are not even safe while walking peacefully in a park! So it happened to me, that I, while strolling through Oaks Hill Park in Washington, was suddenly bombarded with tennis balls! When I picked one up, I realised it was covered with tiny seeds. It’s approximately 10 cm in diameter. You can compare it with the acorn next to it in the photograph. A helpful park ranger explained that this was the fruit of the so-called ‘Mock-Orange’ (Philadelphus). In the Ministerial Library this particular species however could not be connected with the already known Philadelphus varieties, so I took the liberty to name this tree the Philadelphus Flushing Meadowia.

Another miraculous tree I found at The Mall, also in Washington. This completely silver species must be related to the Silver Birch. And although the surrounding trees still had all of their leaves, this species was completely barren. It seems that this is caused by the fact that in autumn it’s leaves turn into gold... which poses a certain risk in times of financial crisis. Normally however, it displays a roof of dense foliage, which in spring and summer is made out of pure jade... Oh, what beauty! I will ask the Head of our Department if I can return in the spring one day, to catch this breathtaking phenomenon for my dear readers...

When it comes to mammals in the New World of coarse the squirrels leap to the eye (figuratively spoken...). I had the opportunity to spot at least three extraordinary species, all in the capital: the Floating Squirrel, the Obama Squirrel and the Black Squirrel:

The first one has adapted to city life by gliding at approximately 5 cm above ground level, which reduces the abrasion of the foot soles by the pavement considerably. The second one (seen in the middle) lives exclusively in the garden of the White House. Wicked voices whisper that the red fur at it’s front indicates the sympathies of the current president for socialism... The Black Squirrel is a newcomer which invades from the North into the territories of Washington D.C. This species is, to my humble opinion, symbolic for the constant waves of immigration in this so very young, dynamic and captivating country!

The most remarkable of my whole trip, however, was the discovery of a Mussaenda Frondosa, or Dhobi Tree, growing in front of the Red Castle in Washington.

This tree is known by it’s small, scenting red flowers to which butterflies are attracted by the large white leaves surrounding them. But when I picked a leave for my herbarium a poem appeared on it’s surface in very fine writing. I was flabbergasted... Apparently this was the extremely rare subspecies Mussaenda Frondosa Poetica! I planted a shoot of this tree in the garden of Villa Dark Horse, in the hope that it may bring forth many flowers, leaves and fruit.

The poem itself described another peculiar phenomenon: in the United States the Kings of Orange fly through the air... If you want know more about that, I would like to advise you to read the poem Due South.

With kind regards,

Ms M.

Correspondent of the
National Sillygraphic Society

Clerk Second Class
Ministry of Silly E-mails
Department of Foreign Affairs
Subdepartment of the Territtories Outside the Dikes
The Hague

MsM@villahetzwartepaard.nl
 

1) As extra inspiration while reading this Report, listen to the wonderful symphony ‘From the New World’ by Antonin Dvořák. He wrote this composition during the years he spent as director of the National Conservatory in New York (1892-1895).