54 
The Birds on Bucna Vista Lalcc. 
but do not stop to breed, like their near relative the Jied- 
headed Pochard {Mariia avwricana), whicli io one of the 
earliest Uueks to breed in southern Caiiiornia. The in'esenee 
01 tliii small liock soon encouraged other Ducks to put in their 
appearance, and they are joined by a little tlock of Hutter- 
i^alis {Cliarilo/ietlu albcola) or Balfle- headed Ducks as they 
are cahed m the East. These are the smallest of the diving 
uucks louad on the Lake, and are very attractive in their 
oiacK and wniie piumage. ihey do not bieed on Jbuena v ista. 
/inoLiier little uuck to come swimming up, was tne Ituday 
±>ucK. 1 do not know if this is its pioper name. It is a 
very closely leatnered and tnick skianea bird, and is very 
seiuoni seen on the wing, taking reiuge in divmg iiisieaa 
wnen alarmed, it is about the sue of a leai, rufous-coiourea 
on tne back and dirty wliite on the bi'east. it is not, 
Usually snot lor food. VV niie tnese birus were swimming 
aijuuu quite unaware oi my preoOnce, 1 had noticed uock after 
iiocR 01 VVJiite Pelicans {telecanus erytlirorlijjncliui) iiying 
down tne lake. A colony of about one thousand of tliese line 
birds have tlieir home on the lake. The birds in view were 
switciibacking along' if 1 may so describe it — in strings 
of about iUU birds. A dozen strong naps of the wing's ap- 
peared to carry them about half a miie. They would rise 
about lorty feel, and then drop to witnin a few feet of the 
water, soaring up again and to the same height, thus rising and 
falling until tlie impetus was lost, when a few moi'e llaps would 
start them off again. Each Pelican followed its leader's 
movements exactly. As there were a good many Cor- 
morants flying with them, 1 guessed that they must be on 
a fishing- expedition. I decided to paddle after them and 
watch tnio very interesting operation. After paddling along a 
mile or so, I located the llock fishing on the shallow water between 
the tules and the land. Pushing my boat through and taking 
care not to show myself, I soon had an excellent view. The 
Pelicans, some four or five hundred of them were formed up 
in a half-moon formation, and were sweeping along parallel 
to the shore, beating the water violently with their wings. 
Withir. the half circle formed by the birds hundreds of Cor- 
morants were diving and numerous Gulls and Terns Avere 
taking toll of the fish, which could be plainly seen jumping 
