I 



NON-DIVING DUCKS. 



SUB-FAMILY AuatifKE. 



As has already been said, the ducks are divided into 

 three sub-famiHes. Of these the first is the Anatincu, 

 or fresh-water ducks. One unvarying character of this 

 group is that it has the hind toe simple, while in all 

 the sea or diving ducks it is lobed, or provided with 

 a loose membrane or flap. The feet of the fresh- 

 water ducks, as a rule, are smaller than those of the 

 sea ducks, formed more for progression on land than 

 for swimming. The fresh-water ducks feed in shallow 

 water, gathering their food from the bottom by 

 stretching down the neck, or by tipping up the body, 

 as do also the geese and the swans. They do not dive 

 for food, though they often do so to escape from dan- 

 ger when wounded. As a rule they feed on vegetable 

 matter, from which it results that their flesh is very 

 palatable. As it is a fact, however, that all ducks are 

 indiscriminate feeders, in cases where the fresh-water 

 ducks have access to animal food their flesh readily 

 acquires an unpleasant, fishy taste. There are thirteen 

 or fourteen species of fresh-water ducks found in 

 North America, most of which are familiar to gunners. 

 Naturalists are by no means agreed as to the proper no- 

 menclature to be applied to the different species in this 



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