368 RUDDY AND MASKED DUCKS 



ance, will often stretch forth her neck with the bill open as though in 

 applause and may essay, but with indifferent success, to duplicate some 

 of the male's antics. The attempt on the part of another male to "cut 

 in" on his chosen partner is the signal for furious combat on and beneath 

 the water, without cessation until the interloper is finally driven away. 

 The ability of the male Ruddy Duck to puff out his chest, as described, 

 is due to a large air-sac in his neck, which he inflates at will during his 

 display performance. 



For its nesting place the Ruddy Duck seeks prairie sloughs or 

 wherever it can find the cover provided by thickly growing bulrushes, 

 flags and tall reeds; in such surroundings the Ruddy conceals her nest 

 in a manner which makes discovery difficult. The nest is a basket-like 

 structure of materials from the surrounding vegetation and always clev- 

 erly matches its environment. It is built about eight inches above the 

 level of the water and is firmly attached to the growing reeds, which are 

 often arched over it for better concealment. Sometimes the nest is pro- 

 vided with a sloping pile of reeds down which the duck can slide into 

 the water at the approach of danger; on reaching the water she slinks 

 silently away like a grebe. 



A great surprise is provided by the eggs of this species. The female, 

 though one of the smallest of the ducks, weighing about one pound, lays 

 enormous eggs, the average size of which is 2.45 by 1.79 inches. The Mal- 

 lard and Canvas-back, ducks three times the size of the little Ruddy, lay 

 substantially smaller eggs. A clutch of 14 eggs of the little Ruddy Duck, 

 which are probably laid within a period of 15 days, weighs approxi- 

 mately three pounds, or about three times as much as the little mother 

 herself! As many as 20 eggs have been found in one nest, though the 

 usual number is from 6 to 10; when the number is large they are de- 

 posited in two or even three layers, the better for the tiny female to 

 cover them. The eggs are rough and granular, have very thick shells, and 

 vary considerably in shape; they are pure dull white or creamy white 

 when first laid. The indications are that in the more southern portions 

 of its range two broods may be raised in one season; this is unique 

 among the ducks. 



The male does not assist in the process of incubation, but, unlike 

 most other ducks, which desert the female at this time, he remains close 

 at hand. When the brood is hatched he assists in the care of the family 

 until they are able to shift for themselves. It is a common sight to see a 



male, with tail erect and chest and 

 throat puffed out, swimming at the 

 head of a brood of newly hatched 

 young in compact flock, while the fe- 

 male follows behind. It is said that 

 from infancy Ruddys are sullen, ferocious, bad-tempered birds, and from 

 the day they are hatched will snap and peck viciously when captured. 

 As might be expected from the size of the eggs, young Ruddys are very 

 large ducklings. They are also very precocious, diving for their food on 

 their first contact with the water; other species take their food from the 



