152 BULLETIN 130, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



ERISMATURA JAMAICENSIS (Gmelin) 

 RUDDY DUCK 



HABITS 



This curious little duck is in a class by itself, differing in several 

 peculiarities from any other North American duck. It is Avidely 

 scattered over the most extensive breeding range of any of our 

 ducks, from far north to far south and from our eastern to our 

 western coasts. Its molts and plumages are unique, involving a 

 ' complete seasonal change from the gaudy nuptial to the dull and 

 somber autumn dress ; even the seasonal changes in the oldsquaw are 

 less striking. But its eggs furnish the greatest surprise of all; for, 

 although this is one of our smallest ducks, it lays eggs which are 

 about as large as those of the great blue heron or the wild turkey. 

 In its appearance and behavior it is also unique and exceedingly 

 interesting. One must see it on its breeding grounds, in all its 

 glory, to appreciate what a striking picture is the male ruddy duck. 

 In the midst of a sea of tall, waving flags a quiet, sheltered pool 

 reflects on its glassy surface the dark green of its surroundings, an 

 appropriate setting for the little gem of bird life that floats gently 

 on its surface, his back glowing with the rich, red brown of his 

 nuptial attire, offset by the pure white of his cheeks, his black crown, 

 and above all his wonderful bill of the brightest, living, glowing 

 sky blue. He knows he is handsome as he glides smoothly along^ 

 without a ripple, his saucy sprigtail held erect or even pointed for- 

 ward till it nearly meets his upturned head ; he seems to strut like a 

 miniature turkey gobbler. 



Courtship. — His mate knows that he is handsome, too, as she 

 shyly watches him from her retreat among the flags, where perhaps 

 she is already building her basketlike nest. As she swims out to 

 meet him his courtship display becomes more ardent ; he approaches 

 her with his head stretched up to the full extent of his short neck 

 and his eyes gleaming under two swollen protuberances above them 

 like the eyes of a frog ; with his chest puffed out like a pouter pigeon, 

 he bows and nods, slapping his broad, blue bill against his ruddy 

 breast ; its tip striking the water and making a soft, clucking sound. 

 Should a rival male appear upon the scene, he rushes toward him, 

 the}'^ clash in an angrj^ struggle, and disappear beneath the surface 

 in desperate combat, until the vanquished one skulks away and leaves 

 the victor to strut and display his charms with more pride than ever. 

 Since the above was written. Dr. Alexander Wetmore (1920) has 

 published an accurate description of what is apparently the same 

 performance, but rather than repeat it here, I would refer the 

 reader to it. 



