feet square.
This pond is never entirely frozen over and the water emptying
therein is warm even during the coldest winter.

Some five years ago, Mr. Gray secured a few wild-duck eggs, and
hatched them under a hen. The little ducks were reared and fed on
the little pond. The following spring they left the place, to return
in the fall, bringing with them broods of young; also bringing other
ducks to the home where protection was afforded them, and plenty of
good feed was provided. Each year since, the ducks have scattered in
the spring to mate and rear their families, returning again with
greatly increased numbers in the fall, and again bringing strangers
to the haven of refuge.

I drove out to the ranch November 24, 1902, and found the little
pond almost black with the birds, and was fortunate enough to secure
a picture of a part of the pond while the ducks were thickly
gathered thereon. Ice had formed around the edges, and this ice was
covered with ducks. The water was also alive with others, which paid
not the least attention to the party of strangers on the shore.

From Mr. Gray I learned that there were some 600 ducks of various
kinds on the pond at that time, though it was then early for them to
seek winter quarters. Later in the year, he assured me, there would
be between 2,000 and 3,000 teal, mallards, canvas-backs, redheads
and other varieties, all perfectly at home and fearless of danger.
The family have habitually approached the pond from the house, which
stands on the south side, and should any person appear on the north
side of the pond the ducks immediately take fright and flight. Wheat
was strewn on the ground and in the water, and the ducks waddled
around us within a few inches of our feet to feed, paying not the
least attention to us, or to the old house-dog which walked near.

Six miles east of the ranch is San Luis lake, to which these ducks
travel almost daily while the lake is open. When they are at the
lake it is impossible to approach within gunshot of the then timid
birds. Some unsympathetic boys and men have learned the habit of the
birds, and place themselves in hiding along the course of flight to
and from the lake. Many ducks are shot in this way, but woe to the
person caught firing a gun on or near the home-pond. When away from
home, the birds are as other wild-ducks and fail to recognize any
members of the Gray fa