Summer in the City

THE COLLEGE PUMP Summer in the City depth report at harvardmag.com/poults-19). Harvard is, of course, steeped in history, so the newest avian infatuation brings to mind an earlier incident: the duck and her ducklings atop Quincy House in 1996. Then- master (as the position was then known) “Your wooden arm you hold outstretched Michael Shinagel told the reporter on duty, MAGAZINE CARLING/HARVARD JENNIFER to shake with passers-by.” managing editor Christopher Reed, “It just parts are said to do locally.) Similarly for the shows to what lengths a determined mother immortalized Ben Franklin at Penn. will go to get her children into Harvard,” As the tradition is not unique—and not ake way for poults. Vis- suggesting that history repeats itself in other that traditional, and surely neither healthy for itors to Harvard Yard—and ways, too—and the wisdom of nature. people nor good for the statues—perhaps it these days, there are throngs of is time to give it a rest? them—often wish to capture Man iconic photo: Johnston Gate; the Widener steps; John Harvard’s gleaming toe (about Foot fetishes. Those many visitors to the which, see more below). But a surprising Yard also, inevitably, huddle around John Pleasant prospect. Turkeys, tourists, and number, from other climes, are enchanted by Harvard, and someone burnishes the favorite, traditions aside, Harvard’s campus is often the resident (not very wild) wildlife. Univer- famous toe further, while cameras click (see, at its loveliest in seasons when students sity-based squirrels could retire easily, with- for example, harvardmag.com/harvard-chi- and alumni, ironically, are not resident: ear- out burying an acorn, if they could collect a na-15). There is no warning sign about the ly summer, Thanksgiving weekend, during nickel per pose for each picture taken. other, disgusting undergraduate tradition a winter-break snow. Of late, the opportuities for such snapshots associated with the statue, although brief One of the best places to veg out dur- have multiplied with the arrival of wild tur- contact with uric acid, in small doses, is not ing the clement months is the small plaza keys—competitors for those acorns. Some of known to be fatal. atop the Carpenter Center’s sweeping ramp these large birds patrol Mass. Ave., but most Turns out that the tradition of rubbing the overlooking Quincy Street. There is a some- hang out at ground level in the Yard, on the statue for good luck is neither rooted in the times-book store, sometimes-gallery space, roofs of freshman dorms, etc. Where there are mists of time nor unique to Harvard. Yale tour but not much traffic. There are now tables turkeys, inevitably, there guides tell a story about a and chairs, and usually a sitter’s choice are poults, and in the Crimson-Blue regatta at of sun or shade. The views of the Memo- weeks immediately after which Theodore Dwight rial Church spire and the restored Memo- Commencement a moth- Woolsey gave the Yale rial Hall tower are simply smashing. And er and her seven young- boat a foot nudge at the the surrounding, elevated garden space is sters grazed on the lawn start of a race, leading to pleasing if a bit eccentric. At one time, it between Lamont and a victory—and the listen- was planted to tomatoes, but is now largely Widener libraries with ers learn that students rub given over to lavender. To some, the Duke/ some regularity. Viewers that statue for good luck. Yale blue may seem treasonous. But the ge- were agog—including, we (It is unknown whether ometry, the occasional unruly weed (in de- must confess, some hard- the guides tell them that fiance of Harvard’s careful grooming of its bitten reporter types from Yalies are also rumored to storied landscape), and the contrast with this publication’s staff water Woolsey the way the surrounding leafy canopy of trees are (read the resulting in- MAGAZINE KERN/HARVARD ALLISON their Cambridge counter- all just right. vprimus vi 72 September - October 2019 Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746.

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