May, 1917 



85 



WILD DUCKS IN A CITY PARK 



By W. W. RICHARDS 

 WITH FOUR PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR 



VENICE has her pigeons, which, feeding in swarms in her streets and squares, 

 form a feature of the city that has become famous the world over, but after 

 all, these are domestic birds that have made no great change in their habits. 

 In the city of Oakland, California, there is to be seen a comparable sight of great- 

 er marvel, in the wild ducks that flock upon Lake Merritt during the winter 

 months. In what other community are there to be found wild birds of such nota- 

 ble wariness and timidity finding sanctuary within five minutes walk of the City 



Fig. 32. Wild ducks upon Lake Merritt. The Canvas-backs, preferring deep 



WATER, DO NOT VENTURE OUT UPON THE LAWNS. 



Hall and business center, and this in a city of one hundred and fifty thousand 

 inhabitants? 



The accompanying photographs were taken at Lake Merritt during the past 

 winter (1916-17). At the northern end of the lake a stretch of water about a 

 mile in length has been fenced off, so as to prevent the approach of pleasure 

 boats. Here the ducks congregated by the thousand, resting upon the water or 

 feeding upon the surrounding lawns, a sight that attracted scores of visitors. The 

 birds soon realized their immunity from the dangers by which they were usually 

 beset, and lost all fear of the surrounding throngs. 



In the photos taken upon the lawns (figs. 33, 34, 35) the species that pre- 

 dominate are the Sprig {Dafila acuta) and Baldpate (Marcca americana), with, 

 of course, the ever-present Mudhen (Fulica americana) conspicuously in the 



