RUDDY DUCK 239 



larger Ducks, it is more sought after, and many are 

 killed. It is accustomed to frequent bays and coves, and 

 a number ofgunners will assemble in boats and line the 

 entrance to one of these, and gradually advancing, close 

 in upon the birds, which are shot either on the water 

 while swimming or as they attempt to fly past. There 

 is nothing sportsman-like in this proceeding, but as the 

 birds bring now quite a sum per pair in the market, it is 

 killing merely for gain. At times, when one of these 

 battues was going on in Currituck Sound, it seemed as if 

 the country was being bombarded by a hostile fleet, so 

 frequent and heavy were the explosions. Of course if 

 this practice is continued, it will have one of two natural 

 consequences: either the extermination of the species in 

 that locality, or its removal to more secure situations. 



The male Ruddy Duck in full summer dress is a very 

 handsome bird, and resembles very little the same indi- 

 vidual in the costume he usually wears in winter. The 

 black head and nape, with the large white patch upon the 

 face, are well contrasted with the rich dark red of the 

 upper parts of the body and the silver grayish white of 

 the lower plumage. When so arrayed he is an object of 

 singular beauty, but unfortunately he^only exhibits him- 

 self in these nuptial garments for a brief period in the 

 year. 



This species has a very great number of names, one 

 apparently for almost every locality it visits. Some of 

 these are. Broad Bill Dipper, Coot, Broad Bill Coot, 

 Bumble Bee Coot, Heavy-tailed Duck, Salt-water Teal, 

 Booby, Booby Coot, Stiff Tail, Spine Tail, Ruddy Diver, 

 Ruddy, Stick Tail. Bristle Tail, Bull Neck, Steel Head, 

 Rook. Greaser, etc. Of late this Duck has become quite 

 fashionable among the gourmets of the cities, and is con- 

 sidered apparently as desirable as some of the larger 



