David Beatty wrote about people catching a female Green-winged Teal in
their chimney. A few years ago, I was in the back room of my house when I
heard some noise coming from the living room, which got me worried because
there shouldn't have been anyone else in the house. As I came into the
living room, I saw something jumping up toward the large window, and it
turned out to be a female Mallard. She was very agitated, obviously
jumping toward the light and trying to escape. The only way she could
have gotten in was through the chimney; the fireplace was wide open. I
propped the front screen door open and herded her in that direction, and
once she could see the open sky through the doorway, she took off and flew
straight out. I just had a little mud to clean up. I've been very
careful about keeping the fireplace closed off ever since.

Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794