SEA DUCKS. 



THE group which we have now to consider, differs widely in 

 many points of structure and habits from the one discussed 

 in the preceding chapter. Sea Ducks may ahvays be distinguished 

 from Fresh-water Ducks, by having the hind toe lobate, that is, 

 provided with a litde flap of skin on its lower side, instead of sim- 

 ple. The legs of the former group are also placed farther behind 

 than in the latter, and they are thus better fitted for swimming, 

 though not so well adapted for progression on land. The feather- 

 ing too of the Sea Ducks, is much the most dense, and they are all 

 provided with a large supply of thick down next to the skin, which 

 in many species is of no small commercial value. Owing to the 

 foregoing points of diversity in structure, this group is considered 

 by naturalists as a sub-family of the great family Anatidce, and is 

 called the FidigulincB. 



In habits the differences between the Fresh-water and Sea 

 Ducks are no less striking. The latter dive for their food, which 

 the former never do ; they are chiefly maritime in their distribution, 

 although all, or nearly all, retire to fresh water lakes to rear their 

 young. Their food is chiefly animal, though two or three genera 

 are mixed feeders, devouring indifferently animal or vegetable 

 matter. As a rule the Fidiguhna: are not highly prized for the 

 table, owing of course to the peculiarities of their diet, but the 

 birds of the genus Fuligula which includes the Canvas-back, the 

 Red -head. Broadbill, and others, are notable exceptions, being 

 among the most delicious of our game birds. The excellence of 

 the bird's flesh depends entirely upon what it feeds upon, and the 

 Canvas-back confined to a diet of shell fish alone, would be no 

 better than a Coot. It was our intention at first to have separated 

 the FjiligulincB into two classes, mixed feeders and animal feeders, 

 but the two grade into one another so gradually that it is difficult 



