The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-17
FLYING UNDER WATER.
Bow Ducks Try to Eiuds Man vii
a Gun-

with good luck Ihc spectacle has Deem
twice accorded the writer. and the ap-
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
biz grebes which were disporting them
selves on mill pend. These active
divers are also known by the names of
water witch, didapper, dab-chiek and
diver. This bird is very elusive chap
IN the water. He can dive in a way TO
surprise the smartest shooter, and will
escape from a whole regiment Of ex-
PERT gunners, IL there is plenty of water
for his movements.
Securing boat we padded out on the
pond, when, of course, the flock OF
seven plungers disappeared beneath
the surface, as they never attempt TO
escape by fight. When the scattered
birds reappeared above water. several
shots were directed 1T them, unsuccess-
fully, as they dove repeatedly at the
fash Selecting one bird, probably inn
mature and inexperienced. we were so
fortunate as 10 drive it into shallow
water at the edge OF the pond. In n
confined space, and in water not over
one foot deep, so surrounded by banks
that the ratified bird could net escape,
II swan about just beneath the sur
face in plain sight Its motions were
rapid, and IN addition to the p-opul-
sive power obtained from its feet, it
also used its wings TO assist In fact
the writer is not at all sure that it did
not attain its chief impulse from its
wings. The motions by the feet were
alternate, Is in the case of the tame
duck, either OF land or water. But
the motions of the wings were COM
bined, as if the bird were flying, though
much more spasmodic. It 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 its
wings above the surface. when il fell
an easy victim 10 the ready gun.
On another occasion / YVES rambling
along the river in the dead of winter
when l saw flock of six gohien-eyr
ducks or whistle-wings. They occupied
a strip of rapidly flowing water nearly
IN the center of the river 1t was a cold
season and the river was nearly all
frozen over. and only strips of rapid
water were left uncovered. By careful
sneaking / managed 10 reach the bank
OF the river on which were some small
bushes, but found that was stin over
40 yards from the open water. with
no chance of getting nearer without
being seen. With mallards and many
other ducks one could well risk sho.
Mt this distance, but with whistle-wings
II is different matter. for they are
hard TO kill and very shrewd, and can
dive at the fash.
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
ali six of the birds disappea at once.
Waiting until four OF the birds dove
at about the same time, rushed ont
upon the ice with both barrels cooked.
The two sentinels few at once, and I
let them go, making tracks for thu
open water. Up came another bird and
was brought down before he had gone a
rod Then two more appeared and
clear miss was scored to my discredit.
The last duck next came 10 the sur
face, and seeing how close was, aud |
not knowing that my old fusee was I'M !
loaded, concluded that he would try the |
diving method of escape. Passing on 1
up the open strip in the river. he e. /
sayed to reach the end OF the open wa /
ter and take wing from there, when far /
e enough away from my gun 10 be COM
Xaratiyely safe. I frustrated this move.
however, by walking nearly to ths up
per end of the open. When the duel;
he saw me and dove and SWAN
down stream, swimming with great |
velocity by my position on the edge OF
the open water. The strip of rapid /
= I'D
hy ten or E teen in its widest place and
gradually narrowing 81 each end.
Lcod;n2 the cd r1uzTie- lcaf~- 1s "a
idly as possible, while walked or trot-
ted along, reached the lower end and
had q shot when the bird came up for
air. but was unsuccessful We then
proceeded up stream ~ every oppor-
tunity I fired at this lightning swim
rner. but the expert diver always eluded
my charge.
The water was not over a foot and
a half To two feet deep and could plain
" see the motions of the bird. The
OF the wings were kept ~
and seemed 10 assist greatly in prornot-
ing speed. The current WIS strong and
yet the duck would forge up stream
~ rate To make me walk rapidly.
while IL fairly few down stream. After
IL up and down several times
md firing at 10 unsuccesSfully seven or
light shots, I tried the experiment ~
shooting at Il below the surface Of the
water think ! must have stunned
he duck. for il came 20 the surfzee only
,nce afterwsTd. ard then DISAPPEARED
Tor good, being probably swept under
he ice BY the swift earrent.
These instances OF personal obserys-
son would seen 10 indicate that ducks
md grebes use their wings 20 assist
hem ia swimming below the surface.
u least when they err harc pressed.
We may say literally that the birds Gy
a the wateT.-Detreit FREQ Press.
REALITY fN PSI rs