Sea and Bay Ducks 



short, and without speculum. In winter the drake re- 

 sembles female. 



Female Upper parts dusky grayish brown, the feathers rippled 

 with buff ; crown and nape more reddish, and streaked with 

 black ; sides of head and chin white ; throat gray ; under 

 parts white. Young resemble mother. 



Range North America at large ; nesting chiefly north of the 

 United States, but also locally within its range ; winters in 

 the United States. 



Season Spring and autumn migrant ; also locally a winter resi- 

 dent. 



The heavy moult this drake undergoes after he deserts his 

 brooding mate transforms him into an obscure, commonplace- 

 looking bird from the faultlessly attired gallant of his courting 

 days ; so that when the ruddy ducks appear on our inland lakes or 

 the estuaries of rivers, shallow bays, and ponds near the sea, there 

 is a close family resemblance between both the parents and the 

 young, none of whom seem worthy bearers of their popular 

 name. But however inconspicuous the feathers, this duck may 

 always be named by its stiff tail quills, that no other bird but a 

 cormorant can match. This curious tail, which is used as a rud- 

 der under water, or a vertical paddle, is carried cocked up at right 

 angles to the body when the duck floats about on the surface. 



Owing to the ruddy duck's short wings, it is less willing to 

 trust its safety to them when alarmed than most ducks are, and 

 it will quietly dive in grebe fashion, and drop to safe depths before 

 swimming out of range, rather than depend upon the awkward 

 rising from the surface, that must be struggled through before it is 

 safely launched in steady though labored flight along the water. 

 Heading against the wind, it at first seems to run along the sur- 

 face with the help of rapid wing beats, before it is able to clear 

 the water ; but once fairly started, it flies good distances and at a 

 fair speed. In figure it more closely resembles a plump, squat 

 teal than an ordinary sea duck. The head is so small that the 

 skin of the neck can be easily drawn over it. 



Tall sedges near the water's edge make the ideal nesting or 

 hunting resort of these ducks, that feed chiefly on eel grass and 

 other vegetable matter growing either above or below the water 

 in shallow bays and inlets, salt or fresh. It is their habit to drop 

 into these grasses when surprised, and to hide among them, 

 which is one reason why they are supposed to be rare ; whereas 



132 



