The Cinnamon Teal 



* 



Taken in Merced County 



A RAGTIME DUET 



CINNAMON TEAL, DRAKE AND DUCK 



Photo by the A uthor 



again with a great splash; whereupon the other, as likely as not, will 

 return the compliment. This passage occurs oftenest between two males, 

 and does not appear to have any unfriendly motive. When the fortunes 

 of the ensuing season are being decided, the ducks become very much 

 absorbed in their business. At such a time I once stole up through the 

 reeds, where, upon a little "two by four" pond, I could survey six or eight 

 Cinnamon Teal disporting themselves and indulging in courting antics. 

 A male would follow about very closely after his intended, and bob his 

 head by alternately extending and withdrawing his neck in a very lively 

 fashion. Now and then the female would make some slight acknowledg- 

 ment in the same kind. In at least one instance I witnessed a decisive 

 moment; for, from pretended indifference in the presence of her suitor, 

 a duck suddenly responded to his long bobs of invitation by bobs of 

 approval, equally emphatic, and given face to face; and immediately 

 thereafter she seconded the favored swain in his efforts to drive off dis- 

 credited rivals. The males were charging upon each other repeatedly 

 with open beaks, but it is hard to believe that they either would or could 

 do each other bodily harm. 



The Cinnamon Teal is the commonest breeding duck in California, 

 and its nests probably outnumber those of all other species combined. 

 Where cattails abound, the birds sometimes weave an elevated basket or 

 platform of reeds, after the fashion of the Coot or Redhead. On occasion, 



1774 



