286 



BAY, SEA OR DIVING DUCKS 



prolonged in the case of this 

 species. The female-like win- 

 ter plumage of the male Rud- 

 dy Duck is likewise consid- 

 ered to be a prolonged eclipse 

 plumage.) 



In the spring, the warmth 

 of the April sun and thoughts 

 of domestic duties to be per- 

 formed start the restless, gay 

 gang on their northward voy- 

 age. The main summer breed- 

 ing grounds on this continent 

 extend from the mouth of the 

 Yukon, around the Alaskan 

 coast and across the northern 

 Arctic. In the Autumn, Old- 

 squaws are among the latest 

 migrants and come south with 

 the cold winds and ice of Oc- 

 tober and November. Winter 

 is at hand when these hardy 

 little ducks arrive on their 

 feeding grounds on the At- 

 lantic and Pacific coasts. On the coasts very few wander south of Chesa- 

 peake Bay on the East and the State of Washington on the West. From 

 these points north they spend the winter in company with the Scoters, 

 Eiders, Golden-eyes and Red-breasted Mergansers. Many winter on the 

 Great lakes and larger inland waters, but in winter they are decidedly a 

 maritime species and congregate on the sea coasts by preference. 



Old-squaws decoy well, and are tame, trusting birds, full of curios- 

 ity. Their flight is swift and erratic, but when bunched, as they so often 

 are, they offer easy targets. They do not rank as table birds as their 

 flesh is fishy and tough. Many, however, are shot every autumn, chiefly 

 for the sport they provide by their rapid and active flight. It takes a 

 good shot to bring down a single, travelling before the wind. These birds 

 are tough and hard to kill and only a small portion of those that are 

 shot are killed outright; to pursue a wounded bird of the diving ability 

 of the Old-squaw is useless. 



