At 02:07 PM 3/4/97 -0800, you wrote:
> >The bird's long wings, darkness, smallish size,
> >and regular perch say "Merlin"--or at least a
> >darn good imitation.
>
>Along with this regular perch thing,....

Our resident Kestral also perches in the same spot on a regular basis. I
haven't observed much preening, though.

Speaking of mating and preening. Ducks regularly run (and I do mean run) to
the closest water after mating on land to bathe. Anyone know why? There's
been some speculation as to it being a stress response.

Peggi
Ben & Peggi Rodgers
Aptos, CA (near Santa Cruz)
USA
woodduck at cruzio.com


"A bird does not sing because it has an answer,
It sings because it has a song"