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 Nov., 1913 REPORT UPON DISEASE AMONG DUCKS 217 has been planted with Kaffir corn, grain, squash, etc. Thus at the present time these crops extend to within two or three miles of the water line. But 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 breeding places for ducks or any kind of birds xvhatsoever (see fig. 66). The bottom is a soft black luud 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 processes of ferlnentation which go on in the bottom mud of the lake, a great deal of gas is generated, principally marsh gas: but ! 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 is 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 (SPOONBILL, SPRIG AND TEAL) ON LEVEE NUMBER III IN TULARE LAKE, OCTOBER 2, 1913 lowish-brown mass of fermenting organic debris. The fish--carp. perch, 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 their 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 an. other kind of water birds. The more common species of birds observed in the immediate vicinity the waters of Tulare Lake from September 9 to October 7, 93, were' as fol- lows: Ducks: I. Spoonbill or Shoveller (gpatida clypeata). . Pintail or Spri (Dala acura). 3. Cinnamon Teal (uerquedula canopter). 4- Green-wined Teal (Netlion carolinense). Farallon Coorant (Pha[ac.rocoraa' oritus olboci[fatmO, few. White Pelican (Pelecanus e,trorynchos), few.