398 CITIZEN BIRD 



of exquisitely soft warm down that we use it for mak- 

 ing the best sort of bedquilts." 



"Can you always tell a Sea Duck from a River Duck 

 by the feathers — or how ? " asked Rap. 



" You can alwaj'S tell them by their feet," answered 

 the Doctor ; '' for every Sea Duck has a little flap of 

 skin hanging like an apron from the hind toe, while 

 the hind toe of every River Duck is round and slim, 

 like a Hen's." 



" I should think there would always be plenty of 

 Sea Ducks," said Rap ; " for if they live so far out they 

 ought to be able to take care of themselves and swim 

 or fly away from everybody." 



" You would think so, my boy, but when man with 

 his many inventions sets out to kill, there is little 

 chance of escape for bird or beast. Sea Ducks are 

 hunted in their nesting homes, not only for their flesh 

 and eggs, but for the downy feathers with which the 

 nest is lined. In their migrations overland, every hand 

 is set against them if they pause to rest or feed." 



" But when they reach deep water, they must be safe ; 

 for they can fly faster than any boat can sail after 

 them," said Rap. 



" Sail — yes ; but men go in gunning-punts, sneak- 

 boats, and even steam-launches, to surround the flocks 

 of Wild Ducks that are lying low, trusting perhaps to 

 a covering of fog, and when it lifts these water pot- 

 hunters commit slaughter which it would be slander 

 to call sport." 



"Oh, look ! " cried Rap, "there are hundreds of Gulls 

 over there, and Sea Swallows too. Thei'e is the island, 

 for the breeze has come up and we have sailed ever 



