254 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YO SEMITE 



Cinnamon Teal are more likely to be found in the Yosemite re^on 

 during the summer season than any other species of duck. As they breed 

 at Laws, Inyo County, not far southeast of Mono Lake, they probably nest 

 also at Mono Lake itself. The bright chestnut or deep cinnamon plumage 

 of the male makes him easy to identify even at a long distance. A flock 

 of twenty-five was noted on September 20, 1915, not on Mono Lake proper, 

 but in a small lagoon formed by a barrier beach at the edge of the main 

 body of water. Presumably they were in quest of brine-shrimps. Like 

 the Mallard, these birds feed by 'tipping up.' 



Shoveller. Spatula cl3^eata (Linnaeus) 



Field characters. — Size medium for a duek, smaller than Mallard; bill broad at 

 end, spoon-shaped; outer surface of wing with patch of blue and one of green. Male: 

 Head and neck metallic green; breast and under surfaces of wings white; belly cinna- 

 mon. Female: Chiefly dull brown. 



Occurrence. — Casual visitant. Noted on Merced Eiver below Sentinel Bridge, Decem- 

 ber 26, 1914. 



Only one instance of occurrence of the Shoveller ('spoonbill') was 

 recorded by our party, as given above; yet this species is apt to be seen 

 on the open streams and lakes of the Yosemite region at almost any time 

 during the year. The flock observed was wary; when flushed the birds 

 flew up the Valley and returned down the river, high overhead. The huge 

 bill, the light under surface of the wings, light color throughout of the 

 females, and the dark head and under parts of the males were all seen 

 distinctly. 



Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linnaeus) 



F'^ld characters. — Somewhat smaller than Mallard, and of more slender build; neck 

 long. Male: Central tail feathers greatly elongated; head brown; a white stripe up 

 neck on each side; belly white. Female: Similar to female Mallard, but much slenderer; 

 under surface of wing, as seen in flight, grayish brown. 



Occurrence. — Transient. A pair on fresh-water pond near mouth of Eush Creek, 

 Mono Lake, May 6, 1916. 



The Pintail, or 'sprig' of the hunter, is another of the fresh-water ducks 

 that may be expected, during the seasons of migration, on smooth water 

 anywhere in the Yosemite region. Its long neck, as seen either in flight 

 or on the water, facilitates identification. When feeding in shallow ponds 

 these birds do not 'tip up' so often as do Mallards, for their long necks 

 usually enable them to reach down a sufficient distance without tipping. 



