FDR's HOUSE IN HYDE PARK
My Column: A New Birdy 30 Contest

Monday Morning Mystery


FDR mystery 1
On a recent visit to Hyde Park, I toured FDR's childhood home and discovered he was quite the young birder. As was the custom back in those days, he shot and stuffed the birds himself, using arsenic and other nasty stuff. The American Museum of Natural History has several of his Pine Grosbeaks and a mystery mammal skull.

When you enter the house, the taxidermy cabinet is on the left. (Below.) Yep, those are a Northern Flicker and two Eastern Screech Owls.

Above is the only bird displayed outside the cabinet. What is it? (Hint: In New Jersey, it is considered an endangered species when nesting.)

FDR taxidermy case IMG_3970

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