Do you see what they replaced the rainbirds with, David? The big pipes are distribution heads—can taks, let’s say.”
“Just lately it’s been a switchover from rainbirds to emitters.” His guide spoke in the tone of one who recites rather than speaks. David had a moment of déjà vu, then realized why: the man was repeating what Audrey Wyler had already said.
“A few eagles died.” “A few?” David asked, giving Mr. Billingsley’s line.
“All right, about forty, in all. No big deal in terms of the species; there’s no shortage of eagles in Nevada. Do you see what they replaced the rainbirds with, David? The big pipes are distribution heads—can taks, let’s say.”
“Big gods.”
“Yes! And those little hollow cords that stretch between them like mesh, those are emitters. Can tahs. They drip weak sulfuric acid. It frees the ore . . . and rots the ground. Hang on, David.”
