298 AMEEICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



less timid than they are. Its food is mainly composed of 

 animal matter, which is always abundant in its favorite 

 haunts, hence it is rare to find one in poor condition. 

 It swims rapidly, dives well, can stay under water for a 

 comparatively long time, is very quick in flight, and 

 when alighting on the water it comes down with such a 

 rush that it scatters showers of spray in every direction. 

 It does not circle to the windward before settling as 

 other ducks do; and it is very fond of uttering its short, 

 guttural notes, which are so expressive of contentment. 

 It is not so easily decoyed or brought to land as some of 

 its kindred, as it is exceedingly cautious. It is one of 

 the most maritime of its sub-family, and also one of the 

 most beautiful, especially the male. The bill of the lat- 

 ter is as long as the head; is deep rather than broad at the 

 base; and is a light grayish-blue in color, the unguis being 

 blackish. The iris is yellowish; the feet are grayish-blue, 

 and the webs and claws black. The head is puffy; the neck 

 and the forepart of the back and breast are black; and the 

 back of the head displays brilliant iridescence, the result of 

 the harmonious combinations of its green, golden, and 

 purplish feathers. The back, scapulars, anterior part of 

 the abdomen, and sides are grayish-white, waved with 

 black; the middle of the breast is white; and the wings 

 are brownish-gray. The tail is short, rounded, and com- 

 posed of fourteen feathers. It differs from the golden- 

 eye in being without the loral patch of white; and the 

 female is blackish m color. The males vary much in 

 size, but their average length may be placed at sixteen 

 and a half inches, and their weight at twenty-one ounces. 

 The ruddy duck [Erisinatura ruhida), when in full 

 plumage, is brownish-red about the head and neck, ex- 

 cept the chin and the sides of the head, which are white, 

 and the nape and crown, Avhich are black. The under 

 parts are white and pale-gray. This species, which is very 

 abundant all over the Continent, may be readily recog- . 



