CEVAIP AER? aba 
NON-DIVERS. 
All ducks are divisible into two classes, non-divers 
and divers, whereby we can examine more closely the 
habits peculiar to each species and group together 
those whose traits are similar. 
A non-diver, as the name implies, does not dive for 
its food. It frequents shallow water, where food can 
he procured, either upon the surface or below it, by 
tipping up without its entire body becoming sub- 
merged. It does not use deep channels, lakes or 
ponds, except for drinking or where the food floats 
upon the surface, or may be found upon its banks. 
Their feet differ from those of the divers; the tarsi are 
longer, web of the hind toe shorter, whole web shorter 
and narrower, and the legs are placed further forward 
on the body. Many species use the land nearly as 
much as the water, have less down upon their breasts 
and bodies, call more in the air as well as upon the 
water, and are as a general rule more frequently ob- 
served. We have eleven species common to the 
United States, some of which breed in every state in 
the Union. All are fit for the table. A marked differ- 
ence in color exists in the sexes, the young assume the 
sober dress of their mother, and the drakes are more 
numerous than the ducks in the ratio of about five to 
tliree. 
A non-diver will dive to escape when wounded, usu- 
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