Nov., l‘>13 
REPORT UPON DISEASE AMONG DUCKS 
217 
has been planted with Kaffir corn, grain, squash, etc. Thus at the jjresent time 
these crops extend to within two or three miles of the water line. Hut between 
the planted areas and the water there is no vegetation at all. The lake is merely 
a body of shallow stagnant water far away from any vegetation, plant or tree, 
and consequently there are no l)reediiig places for ducks or any kind of birds 
whatsoever (see fig. 66). The bottom is a soft black mud containing large 
amounts of disintegrating organic matter. This mud is the abode of considerable 
insect and worm life, and consequently furnishes a certain amount of food for 
water birds. 
Due to the ])rocesses of fermentation which go on in the bottom mud of the 
lake, a great deal of gas is generated, principally marsh gas ; but I do not believe 
that this gas is responsible at all for the epidemic, as has been suggested by some. 
The water is decidedly brackish, is translucent or almost opaque in places, and 
's of a greenish yellow color. Its heavy content of alkali gives it a very soapy, 
almost slimy, feeling, and over large areas there is a heavy covering of a yel- 
Fig. 68. Dead ducks (Spoonbile, Sprig and Teal) on levee number hi 
IN Tulare Lake, October 2, 1913 
lowish-brown mass of fermenting organic debris. The fish — carji, jierch, bass, 
and catfish — of which the lake had a great abundance at one time, all died prior 
to the summer just past, the water becoming too stagnant for tbeir existence. 
In view of all these conditions, one can readily see that Tulare Lake does 
not now present the most favorable conditions for the existence of ducks or aiiv 
other kind of water birds. 
The more common species of birds observed in the immediate vicinity of 
the waters of Tulare Lake from September 19 to October 7, 19LT were as fol- 
lows : 
Ducks : 
1. Spoonbill or Shoveller {Spatula clypeata). 
2. Pintail or Sprig {DaHIa acuta). 
3. Cinnamon Teal (Qiterqiiedula cyanoptera). 
4. Green-winged Teal (Netiion carolinense) . 
Farallon Connorant { Phalacrocora.v aiiritus albociliatiis) , few. 
White Pelican (Pclecaiiiis crythrorJiynchos) , few. 
