276 OEDEES OF BIEDS— DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 
Reproduced from Recreation Magazine. 
A HAVEN OF REFUGE. 
An Object Lesson in Bird-Protection. — As a fitting conclusion to our studies of the ducks 
of our interior rivers, lakes and ponds, we present a remarkable instance of what bird-pro- 
tection can accomplish. The picture of the pond described might well be entitled — “ An 
Oasis in the Great American Desert of Game Destruction!” By the courtesy of Mr. G. 0. Shields, 
Editor of Recreation Magazine, we reproduce from that periodical for June, 1903, the above 
illustration, and the following description by Mr. Charles C. Townsend, which appeared under 
the caption, “A Haven of Refuge.” 
“One mile north of the little village of Mosca, 
Colorado, in San Luis valley, lives the family of 
J . C. Gray. On the Gray ranch there is an artesian 
well which empties into a small pond about 100 
feet square. This pond is never entirely frozen 
over and the water emptying therein is warm 
even during the coldest winter. 
“Some five years ago Mr. Gray secured a few 
wild-duck eggs, and hatched them under a hen. 
The little ducks were reared and fed on the little 
pond. The following spring they left the place, 
to return in the fall, bringing with them broods 
of young; also bringing other ducks to the home 
where protection was afforded them, and plenty 
of good feed was provided. Each year since, 
the ducks have scattered in the spring to mate 
and rear their families, returning again with 
greatly increased numbers in the fall, and again 
bringing strangers to the haven of refuge. 
“ I drove out to the ranch November 24, 1902, 
and found the little pond almost black with the 
birds, and was fortunate enough to secure a pict- 
ure of a part of the pond while the ducks were 
thickly gathered thereon. Ice had formed 
around the edges, and this ice was covered with 
ducks. The water was also alive with others, 
which paid not the least attention to the party 
of strangers on the shore. 
“From Mr. Gray I learned that there were 
some 600 ducks of various kinds on the pond at 
that time, though it was then early for them to 
seek winter quarters. Later in the year, he as- 
sured me, there would be between 2,000 and 3,000 
teal, mallards, canvas-backs, redheads and other 
varieties, all perfectly at home and fearless of 
danger. The family have habitually approached 
the pond from the house, which stands on the 
south side, and should any person appear on the 
north side of the pond the ducks immediately 
take fright and flight. Wheat was strewn on 
the ground and in the water, and the ducks wad- 
dled around us within a few inches of our feet 
to feed, paying not the least attention to us, or 
to the old house-dog which walked near. 
“Six miles east of the ranch is San Luis lake, 
to which these ducks travel almost daily while 
the lake is open. When they are at the lake it is 
impossible to approach within gunshot of the 
then timid birds. Some unsympathetic boys 
and men have learned the habit of the birds, and 
place themselves in hiding along the course of 
flight to and from the lake. Many ducks are shot 
