Kaye - (1937). Rankin Ranch, Walker Basin; - Nov. 16, 1933.- foetail. In 1861 and 1862 heavy rains flooded the valley, washing in much sand and destroying most of the clover. From that time to this conditions have not changed much except that the basin has gradually got drier which really constitutes considerable change. There used to be two small lakes, or ponds in the mid of the basin, but in 1922 the last one dried up. Previous to 1922 there used to be a great many ducks in here in the winter. Mrs. Rankin says there were thousands of spoonbill, mallard, scamp, canvas back in here. She says there were also few geese and many sandhill cranes. One year she saw two swans in here. The cranes used to be so plentiful that the basin was once called "la grulla" meaning "crane". Only very occasionally since 1922 have I ducks been seen in here. One of Mrs. Rankin's ranch hands says that during the spring he has -