﻿Tame Wild Ducks 59 



on the large toe is blunt, the ability to inflict injury lying in the terrible 

 force of the blow, rather than in the claw. 



Thus in our brief review, we have seen how the feet and legs of birds 

 serve them well in walking, hopping, running, perching, scratching, climb- 

 ing, burrowing, swimming, diving, in addition to the finding of their food, 

 fighting, preening their feathers, and in countless other ways. The story of 

 the bird's foot has not been half told, but enough has been said to arouse 

 our interest and to put us on the watch for new facts. 



Tame Wild Ducks 



By S. J. SPRAY, Salida. Colorado 



ONE of the most interesting sights to the tourists of the Rocky Moun- 

 tain country is the great San Luis Park, a mountain valley lying 

 along the west side of the Sangre-de-Christo Range. It is from 

 twenty-five to fifty miles wide and one hundred miles long, about eight 

 thousand feet elevation above the sea, and as level as an Illinois prairie. 

 The most careless observer is at once impressed with the fact that here, in 

 some past age of the world, must have existed a beautiful mountain lake, 

 which was the home of myriads of water-birds. This region is now one of 

 the justly celebrated grain belts of Colorado, and is dotted over with many 

 flourishing farms. Several small lakes and marshes in the lower places are 

 still frequented by Ducks, Geese, Cranes and other water-birds, in great 

 numbers, especially during the spring and autumn migrations to and from 

 their breeding-grounds, and during their stay here they are slaughtered by 

 the merciless hunters in great numbers. 



Here, near the town of Mosea, I was pleased to find a kind-hearted old 

 man by the name of Gray, whose home and artesian well were situate^ on 

 a much -traveled highway. Mr. Gray had constructed a little lake to im- 

 pound and store the surplus water from his flowing well. Here I found the 

 greatest surprise of all: hundreds of wild Ducks of various kinds swam in 

 the water, or peacefully preened their feathers on the banks. Occasionally 

 a large flock would take wing, make a wide sweep, perhaps visit a neighbor- 

 ing wheat-field and then return. With Mr. Gray as an attendant, the 

 Ducks showed little fear of strangers, but without him they were suspicious 

 and resented familiarity. 



The picture shown herewith is from a photograph taken by my friend, 

 Dr. Newton, and shows a portion of the pond and flock of Ducks. 



''How did you do all this, Mr. Gray," I said, "and get on such friendly 

 terms with the most timid of wild birds?" He replied, "By kindness, feed- 

 ing, and allowing no one on the place with firearms. We started with a 

 nest of Ducks' eggs we found in the marshes, and hatched them out under a 



