> -•* - r T 



FIRST CALL FOR DINNLR 



In midwinter the ducks are fed daily at 10 o'clock. The moment the waiting birds catch 

 sight of their approaching meal there is a wild scramble in the direction of the caretaker. 

 The latter encourages the newly arrived and timid ducks to come ashore by cleverly imitating 

 the mellow whistle of the Pintail. Many of the ducks fly in from the lake and alight on the 

 lawn where the barley is being scattered broadcast. The ever-ready Mud-hens can be seen, 

 at the lower margin of the photograph, making frantic efforts to ''get there first." 



WILD DUCKS SOON GROW ACCUSTOMED TO 



Photographs by Joseph Dixon 

 CITY LIFE 



At Lake Merritt the ducks have little fear of the many antos which pass hourly. When 

 an auto approaches the ducks waddle off the pavement, and when a few feet distant often 

 turn around, settle down, and go to sleep, as illustrated by the three Pintails in the middle 

 foreground. Many autoists take advantage of the unusual opportunity thus afforded to watch 

 the ducks at close range. This tameness of the ducks has increased people's appreciation of 

 the value of living birds and of native wild life in general. 



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