The Pintail 



' %> iiWiiiAin 



quite at ease. A patch of dull red resolves itself into a double brace 

 of Cinnamon Teals (9), incomparable in color, and a rare sight in winter, 

 even in this favored locality. Green-winged Teals (10), the tiniest of 

 their tribe, haunt another little cove and recall memories of northern 

 meadows, sweet with new-mown hay, but tragic with maternal solici- 

 tude. Here, at least, they are happy. Much searching for Mallards 

 fails; but a few rarer birds, Gadwalls (11), ride at anchor in a shadowy 

 cove, gray, obscure, but significant, like a battle-cruiser in her sea- 

 paint. And of course 

 we have left to the last 

 the most striking species 

 of all. Several hundred 

 Pintails (12) occupy the 

 preening beach. Some 

 are dozing; others are 

 making their toilets with 

 most becoming dili- 

 gence; while others still 

 are parading up and 

 down, like distinguished 

 visitors at a pleasure 

 pier. Other hundreds 

 have hauled out upon 

 the broken-down tules, 

 at a point where the 

 water is deepest and the 

 landward maze most im- 

 vvhose baby? penetrable. A shout, a 



A CINNAMON TEAL WAS CLAIMING IT, BUT IT LOOKS TO ME MORE LIKE A PINTAIL. YOU GUESS, dapping Of the hands, 



and all is attention. A 

 thousand birds slip silently into the water and push out watchfully from 

 shore, a more than Spanish Armada for splendor, ready at an instant 

 to take the air. It were a pity to frighten them, but who does not love 

 the harmless bedlam of bird-wings, and especially the down-rush of stiff- 

 set duck-wings, intent on shelter — when confidence has been restored! 



It is an imperfect picture, a mere catalogue of ducks, but such have 

 I seen again and again ; and I solemnly protest that I would not exchange 

 the sight for the biggest "bag" ever made, nor for all the smoking car- 

 casses which ever graced the tables at Zinkand's or Tait's. Dum vivimus 

 vivant anates. 



At the mating season the Pintails delight to exhibit their volitorial 



Taken in Merced County 

 Photo by the Author 



1790 



