Middletown transcript., 1921-10-01


the restriction on hunting as need for
sthem has been realized by sportsmen
and persons interested in birds in
general.
To encourage our larger waterfowl
q number Of extensive marsh areas
have been made permanent refugees
under the guardianship of the United
States Department Of Agriculture,
and many private preserves, some OF
them formed by artificial means, have
heen established where the birds are
protected while nesting and are shot
under more or less rigid local restric-
tions during designated open seasons
for hunting. AS a means of co-operat-
ing in such efforts to maintain and
increase the numbers of our water
fowl, the biological survey has under
taken investigations Of the general
conditions under which wild ducks
live and thrive, coupled with counts OF
the numerical abundance Of these
birds in different areas vhrying In
character. The Bear river marshes
In Utah are noted for wild ducks.
Eleven Species Of Duck.
"Eleven species of wild ducks" says
Alexander Wetmore. assistant blolo-
gist in bulletin of the department.
"and the Canada goose are now known
to nest on the Bear river marshes.
Eight Of the ducks are Of common oc-
currence. Arranged in order of their
abundance as breeding birds. these are
the redhead, cinnamon teal, mallard.
shoveler or spoonbill, CALDWELL, ruddy
duck, pintail and green-winged teal
"In addition to the. ducks about 100
pairs of Canada geese breed on these
marshes. Allowing three young as
the average number brought to matur-
ity by this species, there would be a
total Of 200 birds at the close Of the
season. The nesting season for these
geese is practically over by May 10
and their numbers were estimated
from observations made before they
disappeared in the lower marshes for
their annual molt. This marsh area
produces between 25.OCO and 10000
ducks in the average season.
"In the course of studies in this re-
gion it was learned that the great
marshes in the delta Of Bear river
a much larger number of birds after
these are freed from family cares In
other regions. To maintain them
selves in condition all species Of birds
must renew their bodily covering OF
feathers at least once each year,
while many forms molt partially or
entirely at shorter intervals. This
usually is gradual process, as only
a few feathers drop out at one time
and are replaced by new ones. One
or two feathers fall in either wing at
approximately the same time and
more are not lost until the first ones
are partly grown. BY this continuous
renewal the powers Of flight of the or
binary bird are not seriously ham,
pered. and it Is able to feed, fly about
and evade it's enemies as usual
Males Desert Mates.
"In all the species Of ducks that
frequent this area in summer, except
the ruddy duck, the males nearly al
days desert their mates as soon as
the complete set of eggs has been
deposited and incubation has begun.
The male ruddy duck like the Canada
goose. usually stays with the female
until the ducklings are well grown,
and 1t is common to see one at the
head of brood of dusky young.
swimming with chest and neck puffed
aut and tail spread.
"After the pairing season the
irakes begin to Join in f1ocks. and
large bands of these males gather to
feed and rest on the great open bays.
At this time they are in bright. snowy
pIumage. hut early In summer
change takes place. The body feath-
ers are replaced by plain. dull
Dlumage more or less resembling that
# the female, and entirely different
from the winter dress. This is known
as the eclipse plumage. and Is found
in all of the ducks that occur here ex-
.'ept the ruddy duck. Soon after 60
.ng into the eclipse plumage the
!rakes drop their wing and tail feath-
rs. and then hide in the marsh
growth until again able to fly. So
we'll do they keep concealed that they
are seldom seen, and few local sports
men or others are acquainted with
this peculiar habit while persons who
may happen to see them usually con-
slider them young birds because Of
their bare wings. Ducks in this flight
less condition are known as 'lappers'
In working through the marshes they
may be heard quacking and feeding
in every direction. and If one Is
startled 1t flaps off at rapid rate
and hides so we'll that it cannot be
found. At night they come out to
feed in the bays and lakes, but re-
treat again to the shelters of the
rushGs at daybreak. Most of the fe-
male ducks are busted with their
young during the period that the
males are mOlting into the eclipse
plumage, but soon after the duclI-
| lings can care for themselves the fe.
males Join the other ducks In the
bays and in turn soon shed their
flight feathers
| Grow In Number.