书城外语课外英语-美国各州小知识(五)(双语版)
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第16章 缅因州(4)

Governor Baldacci’s leadership and hard work have been recognized by a variety of organizations.In particular(特别),his legislative and personal efforts on behalf of children,senior citizens and small businesses have been widely noted.The National Energy Assistance Directors Association presented their annual award to John in 1997for his work to preserve federal fuel assistance for seniors and low income families.The Congressional Youth Leadership Council has commended him for his diligence(勤奋)in promoting education and civic responsibility,and NASA has selected him for its Small Business Assistance Award.Additionally,Governor Baldacci received the Big M award from the Maine State Society of Washington,D.C.for his dedicated service to the people of Maine in 2000.He was also recognized by the American Humane(仁慈的)Association for his efforts to protect children.

As a Congressman,Baldacci returned each weekend to Bangor,where his wife,Karen,a grammar school teacher and registered dietician(〈美〉营养学家,营养学家),and their son,Jack,lived in the house John and Karen bought when they were first married just out of college.Since being elected governor,the Baldacci family has taken up residence in the Blaine House,the governor’s official residence in Augusta(奥古斯塔(美国缅因州首府)).They are the first First Family to do so since 1986.

State Bird州鸟

在本州树林和饲养者后院常会看见山雀。它的嘴棕黑色、短小、笔直却呈圆形。山雀头部平滑,且大,颈部短,眼睛呈咖啡色。身体有些笨拙,羽毛杂色且短。尾巴长且有12根。它的脚和爪子呈灰绿色。头部和后背颜色为纯黑。山雀全身长5英寸。山雀在1927年4月6日成为缅因州州鸟。

The Blacked-capped Chickadee is a common sight in the woods and at backyard bird feeders throughout the state.The brownish-black bill(鸟嘴)is short,straight and rounded.The Chickadee’s glossy(平滑的)head is large with a short neck and dark brown eyes.Its body is thick.The feathers are blended and short.The tail is long,arched(弓形的,有拱的),and rounded,with twelve slender feathers.Feet and claws are greyish-blue.The whole upper part of the head and the hind(后面的)neck is pure black,as is a large patch on the throat and fore-neck.The Chickadee is approximately 5inches in length.

Black-capped Chickadees eat a variety of foods including insect eggs,ants,beetles(甲虫),aphids([动]蚜虫),millipedes([动](=millepede)倍足纲节动物),snails(蜗牛),and other small creatures.They also eat seeds of conifers(针叶树),goldenrod([植]秋麒麟草属植物),ragweed([植]豚草属),and wild fruit.Black-capped Chickadees are not very picky at the feeder and will eat cornmeal,sunflower seeds,suet(板油),pumpkin seeds,and peanut butter(花生酱).

Black-capped Chickadees prefer to live in mixed hardwood-coniferous forests.They also reside in small woodlands and shrubs by residential areas.

Both the male and female have similar plumage.Black-capped Chickadees have light gray backs and tails.They also have white bellies(腹部)and cheeks.They got the name “Black-capped Chickadee”because they have some black feathers on their heads that look like a cap.Black-capped Chickadees also have some black feathers on their necks that look similar to a bib(口水兜).In the winter,their sides are a deep brown.

Black-capped Chickadees survive the freezing weather by storing food they can use later in the season.Black-capped Chickadees can remember where they stored seeds for up to eight months,which is more than enough time to get them through the winter.

Black-capped Chickadees also survive the winter by lowering their body temperatures at night,entering a state of controlled hypothermia(降低体温).In essence,they slow the blood flowing to the parts of their bodies they don’t use while they are sleeping.This helps them save much-needed energy.

The following is identification:

1.4.5inches length

2.Short bill

3.Black crown and throat

4.White face

5.Pale gray upperparts

6.White edges to wing coverts

7.Grayish-white underparts

8.Rusty flanks

9.Sexes similar

10.Often found in small flocks

State Flower州花

缅因指定白松果和缨为它的州花。在1893年芝加哥世界展览会上,每州都要求选出植物象征,最后选出三个。分别是木兰花、苹果花和白松果和缨。前两者都是真正意义上的花,但在17000人的投票中白松果和缨获得10000票。从植物学角度来看,它们都不是花,因为裸子植物不开花。在1985年2月1日,缅因州采用白松果和缨作为它的州花。

Maine designated the white pine cone and tassel as its state flower.For the 1893World’s Fair in Chicago,States were asked to choose floral emblems.Three candidates were chosen.Two,the goldenrod and apple blossom,were genuine(真正的)flowers.The third was the pine cone and tassel.The pine cone won 10,000of 17,000votes.It was adopted as Maine’s state flower on February 1,1895.

Botanically(植物学地),these are not considered flowers since gymnosperms(裸子植物)do not have true flowers.

The White pine is considered to be the largest conifer([植]松类,针叶树)in the northeastern United States.Leaves(needles)are soft,flexible and bluish-green to silver green in color and are regularly arranged in bundles of five.Needles(针)are 21/2-5inches long and are usually shed at the end of the second growing season.Flowers(strobili)occur on the tree.Cones are 4-8inches in length,usually slightly curved.They take 2years to mature and open to discharge(卸下,放出)the seed shortly after ripening in late August through September of the second season.Cone scales are thin and never have prickles(刺).Each scale usually bears two winged seeds as do all native pines.Cones also have a fragrant gummy(粘性的)resin(树脂).

State Flag州旗

1909年立法机关通过议案采用此旗作为本州州旗。在蓝底的旗帜上有本州盾的标志,过去被用做州徽。而在盾的一边是一位农民,他象征农业,在另一边是海员,他象征海事。在盾徽的下面是一片水域,上面是天空。中心位置的松树代表覆盖本州面积90%的森林。而在树下面的驼鹿则象征缅因对野生动物的尊重。