Nov.,1913 REPORT UPON DISEASE AMONG DUCKS 225 intravenously with ? cc. of live blood from sick birds. No ill effects could be noted. (7) September 25, r9? 3. Two Spoonbill ducks from the State Game Farm were placed in a cage at the edge of the lake. These were given good. food and lake water. Both died in less than five days. (8) September 25, x9x 3. Three Spoonbill ducks were placed in a cage at the edge of the lake. These were given good food and artesian water. They re- mained healthy. (9) September 27, x9x 3. One normal duck (Spoonbill) was placed in a coop with the sick ducks at station A. It remained we!l throughout. (?o) September 27, r9x3 . One normal duck (Spoonbill) was placed in a coop with several dissected birds. On October 3 the bird got head in crack and strangled to death. (I I ) Three birds were placed in a cage with good water containing chopped- Fig. 76. REMAINS OF BIRDS, CHIEFLY( DUCKS, ALONG SLOUGH AT NORTHEAST SIDE OF BUENA VISTA LAKE, KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA; COYOTES, COONS, ETC., HAD BEEN FEEDING ON THE DEAD AND DYING BIRDS HERE FOR TWO MONTHS OR MORE; PHOTOGRAPHED OCTOBER 9? 1913. up parts of sick birds. Birds remained healthy. (?2) October 3, I9?3- Three birds were confined in cage on lake. In cage, at water level, was set a platform, over which was placed a tight box, bnt con- taining entrance for birds. Artesian water and good food were provided. The experiment was to test effect on the birds of the gases which arose from the lake. This experiment was carried on only four days. Experiment not carried on long enough for definite results. Thus, the examinations made and the experiments carried on tended to prove that the cause of the trouble lay in the lake water, either as a mineral or as an or- ganic constituent. At present, analyses of the water and gases of the lake are being made and experiments are being carried out to confirm or refute our conclusions regarding this duck disease. Some time will be required before all this data can be ob- tained.
