THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY 



287 



snakes ; on the right were fertility and water, with Ducks, 

 Herons, Ibis, Terns, Coots, Stilts, Avocets, and other aqua- 

 tic species in countless numbers. 



To the east, the view stretched across the desert toward 

 the distant Sierras where, on clear days, could be seen 

 the snow-fields which, eighty miles away, supplied the water 

 at our feet. To the west, one looked over green marshes 

 and shining ponds, dotted 

 with cattle and fairly twink- 

 ling with flitting wings, to 

 yellow fields leading up 

 through moulded brown 

 foot-hills to the blue crests 

 of the Coast Eange. 



The place combined in an 

 unusual way, the attractions 

 of both a desert and a marsh, 

 without the drawbacks of 

 either. There were no mos- 

 quitoes or other noxious in- 

 sects, no dust or thirst-creat- 

 ing aridity and, in spite of a 

 comparatively high temper- 

 ature, the air was dry and 

 invigorating. The conditions 

 were so favorable for mir- 

 age, that, after several sur- 

 prising experiences, we lost 

 confidence in every feature Burrowing owl 



of the landscape which was 



beyond reach. Passing trains, at a distance of a few hun 

 dred yards, appeared to be fused, shimmering bodies, travel- 

 ling through the air, while the most beautiful ponds and 

 patches of tules and cat-tails faded at our approach. 



However, our immediate surroundings were always so 

 interesting that we were not inconvenienced by these illus- 



