290 



CALIFORNIA BIRD STUDIES 



Forster's Terns were far less common than their 

 smaller, darker relatives ; not more than eight or ten were 

 seen in a single day. 



Of the Ducks, the handsome Cinnamon Teal was the 

 most numerous. It nested in the alfalfa fields near water, 

 where nests with eggs were found May 23, and also on little 

 grass-grown hummocks in the water, where a nest with eggs 





Newly Hatched Stilts 



hatching was found June 19. The agility of these freshly 

 hatched ducklings was remarkable. Almost on emerging 

 from the egg they took to the water, swimming and diving 

 freely. The drake was always within a few feet of the duck, 

 when she was off the nest, and invariably sprang into the 

 air a foot or two behind her when she took wing. We made 

 this habit a subject of special observation without ever see- 

 ing the male bird fly first. 



The Mallard was found with newly hatched young on 

 June 17, and during this week the Pintail, Bedhead, and 

 Fulvous Tree Duck were also found nesting. The Fulvous 

 Tree Duck, whose unique range includes tropical America, 



