508 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



cept a few small open pools, these little ducks huddled together 

 in the pools along with coots and other ducks, and one was found 

 frozen in the ice. 



The Butterball deservedly ranks high as a food bird, especially 

 in the early fall when it is fat. 



31. OLD-SQUAW 



HARELDA HYEMALIS (Linnaeus) 



The Old-squaw or South-southerly is a rare duck at Maxin- 

 kuckee. On December 1, 1900, about 4 p. m., when crossing the 

 lake from the east side, a flock of five was seen flying almost directly 

 overhead and very low down so that their colors could be plainly 

 made out. In February, 1895, Prof. S. B. McCracken of Elkhart 

 obtained 2 specimens (both females) of this duck near Burnetts 

 Creek, Carroll County, Ind., about 30 miles southwest of Lake Max- 

 inkuckee. About November 18, 1911, Mr. S. S. Chadwick shot a 

 fine male at Lake Maxinkuckee. He says he has seen this species 

 occasionally but never secured but one specimen. 



32. RUDDY DUCK; WIRETAIL 



ERISMATURA JAMAICENSIS (Gmelin) 



This curious little duck has been noted by us at the lake but 

 twice in spring. On March 30 and 31, 1901, one was observed on 

 the lake near the Long Point shore. In the fall, however, it is not 

 at all uncommon. Our earliest fall record is October 12 (1906), 

 and our latest January 4 (1901). 



From the middle of October until the freezing of the lake com- 

 pels them to leave, they may be seen almost daily. They are 

 usually seen singly, either wholly by themselves or with a bunch of 

 coots; rarely are they associated with other ducks, except in mid- 

 winter when one or more may be found with the miscellaneous lot 

 of ducks and coots that come together in the few remaining open 

 pools, when the lake is nearly frozen over. One was seen sitting 

 on the ice on Lost Lake November 16. When approached, it was 

 not able to rise from the smooth ice and fly away, but slipped along 

 on the ice as best it could. On January 2 (1901), one was caught 

 on the ice near an open pool ; when cornered it showed itself quite 

 game and fought with energy and no small amount of skill. 



Of all our ducks these are the most cunning. If domesticated 

 they would make very interesting pets. They are by no means 

 stupid, as some writers have asserted. They are quite intelligent 

 and alert, much more so even than the canvasback. At Lake 



