The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-08-06
FLYING UNDER WATER.
How Ducks Try to Elude a Man Wit



1t is a rare privilege to see I wild
bird swim under water. and one to be
obtained only by stratagem combined
with good luck. The spectacle has been
twice accorded the writer, and the APP
pesrance was so remarkable that de-
scription is offered, together with the
conditions which led up to the observa-
tons.
Two of US were hunting, and as we
were unsuccessful in securing game, we
resolved to try our skill on some pied
bill grebes which were disporting them
selves on a mill pond. These active
divers are also known by the names Of
water witch, didapper, dab-chick and
diver. This bird is very elusive chap
in the water. He can dive in way to
surprise the smartest shooter;:and will
escape from 4 whole regiment Of ex-
Pert gunners, if there is plenty Of water
for his movements.
Securing boat we padded out on the
pond, when, of course, the flock OF
seyen plungers disappeared beneath
the surface, as they never attempt to
escape by fight. When the sea tered
birds reappeared above water, several
shots were directed at them, unsuccess-
fully, as they dove repeatedly at the
flash. Selecting one bird, probably i'm
mature and inexperienced, we were so
fortunate as to drive it into shallow
water at the edge of the pond. In a
confined space, and in water not over
one foot deep, so surrounded by banks
that the ratified bird could not escape.
it swan about just beneath the sur.
face in plain sight. Its motions were
rapid, and in addition to the propui-
sive power obtained from its feet, it
also used it's wings to assist. In fact
the writer is not at all sure that it did
not attain it's chief impulse from its
wings. The motions by the feet were
alternate. as in the case of the tame
duck, either on land or water. But
the motions of the wings were COM
bined, as if the bird were flying, though
much more spasmodic. 1t really seemed
| as if the bird were flying through
the water, with the head and neck
stretched out and the wings in nearly
regular beat. Finally the mistaken
creature broke water and took to it's
wings above the surface, when it fell
an easy victim to the ready gun.
On another occasion I was rambling
along the river in the dead of winter
when saw a flock of six *golden-eye
ducks or whistle-wings. They occupied
strip of rapidly flowing water nearly
| 81, 10 - %1o
season and the river was nearly all
frozen over. and only strips of rapid
water were left uncovered. BY careful
Shaking managed to reach the bank
of the river on which were some small
bushes, but found. that was still over
10 yards from the open water, with
no chance of getting nearer without
being seen. With mallards and many
other ducks one could we'll risk a sho:
at this distance, but with whistle-wings
us a different matter, for they are
hard to kill and very shrewd' and can
dive at the flash.
After watching the flock for few
minutes the discovery was made that
one, two or three individuals usually
| remained above while the others were
below feeding and that the usual time
which a duck remained under water
was about 20 seconds. At no time did
all six of the birds disappear at once.
Waiting until four of the birds dove
at about the same time, rushed out
upon the ice with both barrels cooked.
The two sentinels flew at once, and
let them go, making tracks for the
open water. i, Up came another bird and
was brought down before he had gone
rod. Then two more appeared and a
clear miss was scored to my discredit.
The last duck next came to the sur
face. and seeing how close was. and
not knowing that my old fusee was I'M
loaded, concluded that he would try the
diving method of escape. Passing or
Up the open strip in the river, he es'
saved to reach the end of the open wa
ter and take wing from there, when far
enough away from my gun to be CON-
paratively safe. frustrated this move
however, by walking nearly to the up
per end of the open. When the duck
appeared he saw ME and dove and swan
down stream. swimming with grea:
velocity by my position on the edge OF
the open water. The strip of rapid
water was about hundred yards long
Ivy ten or fifteen in it's widest place and
gradually narrowing at each end.
Loading the old muzzle-loader as rap.
idly as possible, while walked or trot-
ted along, reached the lower end and
had shot when the bird came up for
air. but was unsuccessful. We then
proceeded up stream. At every oppor-
tunity I fired at this lightning swim
ruer, but the expert diver always eludcd
r;y charge.
The water was not over a foot and
half to two feet deep and could plain.
ly see the motions of the bird. The
movements of the wings were kept ~"
and seemed to assist greatly in promot-
ing speed. The current was strong and
yet the duck would forge up stream
at rate to make me walk rapidly.
while it fairly flew down stream. After
following it up and down several times
and firing at it unsuccessfully seven or