THE RUDDY DUCK 419 



I must confess to a certain fondness for this 

 small citizen. He is a most interesting little 

 chap and a mighty sweet morsel to put before 

 your company at the table. His flesh is really 

 very good and of delicate flavor. He is a vege- 

 table feeder when he may have his choice in the 

 matter. 



The *' Ruddy" is much less suspicious of his 

 enemies than most waterfowl, and the de- 

 stroyer, if he chooses, may sit up without any 

 precaution and paddle close up to their flocks 

 on the water, delivering his fire at what range 

 he may prefer. If there are any survivors 

 from the first discharge it will not commonly 

 be a matter of difficulty to get another shot, for 

 they will probably spatter along the water for 

 a hundred yards or so, making a great fuss 

 about getting under way, and as soon as they 

 are fairly into the air dropping into the water 

 again without checking their speed, sliding 

 along the surface and scattering spray like a 

 ''whistler," but allowing the second approach 

 to be made with hardly more trouble than be- 

 fore. The wings are small in proportion to 

 their chunky little bodies and their flight at the 

 outset is heavy and labored, but once fairly 



