Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-30
WATER BIRDS OF AMERICA
SHOWN AT NATIONAL zoo
Lake in Washington. With Absolute,,
Natural Surrounding, Attracts
GTcnt Interesf,

."e LUX season approaches, special
interest is being shown in the lake at
inc National Geological Park In Wash
.ns.oh' devoted entirely to water
olru" OF North America. This 10 not
one or the customary artificial cement
and grass-lawn basins, but real
breeding pond. with absolutely nature.
surroundings similar to the br.,h
ing lakes OF ducks and geese for.
merry so frequent in the forests of
our Northern States. This close an.
h'oaimalon TO the wilderness lakes
especially appreciated by Audubon
"ocieaes. aportsmen and bird lovers
az gives an opportunity to study
our North American water fowl a,
close range and in their natural sur.
roundings.N The duck hunter could
easily imagine himself with a blind !,
the thicket surrounding the lake anf
MS dccoys out attracting tho birdf
WITHIN close range. and bird lover,
VINO como to tho park sit by the hour
observing the habits Of the wild duck,
geese and swans.
mo plan Is to show in this lake n,
80. " the slxty-seven species OF
North American ducks. geese ard
swans as possible. and at presen, 1a5
water FOWL are on exhibition. includ.
Ing twenty-four species. Tho duot,.
are represented by twelve sn.ci..
mo mallard. black duck. widr.on
oaidpate. Ereen-winEed teal bIu.'
winged teal, rudy sheIdrake. nintau
"ooa duck. canvasback. redhead and
ie"ser scaup duck. or biue-bills. ara
'"e geese by nine species-the spor,
loose blue goose. Ross's goose. white
fronted goose. American white fror,.d
goose Canadian goose. Hutcbins..
sooae' cacklins goose and barnac,o
goose The two native species ~ y,,iS
'"ans are shown--tho whistlinr sw.n
".ii common In wild state in narts
VI Horth America. and tho trumpe,.I
swan. which formerly occurred In m.
nA'Fi" regions OF the west. This LAT.
swan the finest OF North Amer,
oirds. Is virtually extinct in
SAFE as far as known, and
'ee captive individuals exist in
d.. me National Geological
.ns .au ono female on exhibition
aug iater learned that r. NJ ram.
oird lover OF Lacon. III hoa .. 10
possession two males n, ,his -
Ntr. barnes kindly consented 70 donas,,
ono OF the males in the NatIonaI 49,
okicai Park for the sake NJ rn.,in
.nese BIRDS at the park and no..th,s.
49, the species from final ex,inc.
s.o" me two birds are now IN
inclosure In the water ,ou,,
ana IL is hoped that this nav,
year they Will nest, iS he3t
m Lake Nenr Rock Cyeek
mo lake. within an tnc,os,
nv us IN length and about .eventv-
IN, l,, wac, was originally form.d
rphs enough water from RocL
e" 10 NIL natural depress,on
ine parallel with the crock ~. 49,,
cummings being left az nearly a. 49,
".uiai state as possible. Th. a.
au'e ~ surrounded by q y.r,,,n
o' renee to allow the birds IN ms.
49,, rear their young In safety hnt
'ehce Is visible only on the side
IN winch visitors view the nond
49,. "e o'her sides, the fence ia get
- ae'eFai rods in the trees and
no'e 10 give the birds su,tah1.
- LOT nesting. and. incidentally.
~, 'ne renee invisible to yIsitor.
.,r "e srowth OF trees and bushes
the lake has been supple.
49, ny planting thickets, cattau
has.s 80 seases, and logs and stumps
nave been placed In the pond 70 1919
the birds the kind OF nAst,, 49,,
they have been accustomed IN g. 49,.
wild state. - III 'ho
When the wild birds are frat ,,.ro
yucca Into the pond, after having Tn.
UP OF one wing clipped to prevent
.neir hying high. they retire to tho
WOODS on the far side OF the nond 80
remain hidden sometimes for severa,
uaSs. but they rapidly become accua.
TONED TO the proximity of man. ana
hIter remarkably short time go ahout
.he'r ordinary pursuits without having
the slightest attention to visitors. I'm.
less those visitors happen to or.r
handfuls OF grass, when some OF the
oirds VIII come squawking to tho FENCE
FOR the food. There Is hardly a bl.d.
OF grass growing within tho inoloaurs
the birds having picked IL clean. In
the summer they ind great deal Of
natural forage within tho Enclosure.
and grass clippings are given by the
park attendants. but when this food
is no longer available in tho winter
months they are fed more grain and
bread.