Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/83

 on the large toe is blunt, the ability to inflict injury lying in the terrible force of the blow, rather than in the claw. Thus in our brief review, we have seen how the feet and legs of birds serve them well in walking, hopping, running, perching, scratching, climbing, burrowing, swimming, diving, in addition to the finding of their food, fighting, preening their feathers, and in countless other ways. The story of the bird's foot has not been half told, but enough has been said to arouse our interest and to put us on the watch for new facts.

Tame Wild Ducks

By S. J. Spray, Salida. Colorado

NE of the most interesting sights to the tourists of the Rocky Mountain country is the great San Luis Park, a mountain valley lying along the west side of the Sangre-de-Christo Range. It is from twenty-five to fifty miles wide and one hundred miles long, about eight thousand feet elevation above the sea, and as level as an Illinois prairie. The most careless observer is at once impressed with the fact that here, in some past age of the world, must have existed a beautiful mountain lake, which was the home of myriads of water-birds. This region is now one of the justly celebrated grain belts of Colorado, and is dotted over with many flourishing farms. Several small lakes and marshes in the lower places are still frequented by Ducks, Geese, Cranes and other water-birds, in great numbers, especially during the spring and autumn migrations to and from their breeding-grounds, and during their stay here they are slaughtered by the merciless hunters in great numbers.

Here, near the town of Mosea, I was pleased to find a kind-hearted old man by the name of Gray, whose home and artesian well were situated on a much-traveled highway. Mr. Gray had constructed a little lake to impound and store the surplus water from his flowing well. Here I found the greatest surprise of all: hundreds of wild Ducks of various kinds swam in the water, or peacefully preened their feathers on the banks. Occasionally a large flock would take wing, make a wide sweep, perhaps visit a neighboring wheat-field and then return. With Mr. Gray as an attendant, the Ducks showed little fear of strangers, but without him they were suspicious and resented familiarity.

The picture shown herewith is from a photograph taken by my friend, Dr. Newton, and shows a portion of the pond and flock of Ducks.

"How did you do all this, Mr. Gray," I said, "and get on such friendly terms with the most timid of wild birds?" He replied, "By kindness, feeding, and allowing no one on the place with firearms. We started with a nest of Ducks' eggs we found in the marshes, and hatched them out under a