RUDDY DUCK 



369 



surface for several weeks. Usually when about half grown the young 

 separate from their parents and fend for themselves. 



The legs of the Ruddy are placed well to the rear of the body, and 

 both young and adults are practically helpless on land, resembling grebes 

 in this respect. They are able to waddle along for a few steps, but fall 



upon their breasts almost immediately and 

 progress by shoving along in this prostrate 

 position, pushing with both feet simulta- 

 neously. In contrast, and again resembling 

 grebes, they are among the most active ducks 

 in the water and possibly only the grebe can 

 equal them in aquatic ability. They dive like 

 a flash and have the peculiar power of sub- 

 merging completely without any attempt at diving they simply sink 

 out of sight. When they are swimming under water, the wings are closed 

 and both feet work simultaneously. 



In its flight, swimming, and diving habits the Ruddy Duck more 

 closely resembles the grebes than does any other American duck. Its 

 small, rounded wings are hardly sufficient to raise its chunky little body 

 off the water, except with the aid of its large, powerful feet, pattering 



The Ruddy walks on land 

 with difficulty. 



The Ruddy rising 



along the surface for several yards. But, when well under way, it makes 

 good progress in flight, though it flies usually close to the water and sel- 

 dom rises to any great height in the air, even when migrating. It has a 

 peculiar, uneven, jerky gait in flight by which it can be easily recognized 

 at a long distance" (Bent, 1925). Ruddys generally fly in medium to 

 large-sized flocks, their wings making considerable noise due to their 

 rapid beats. 



Most ducks have a postnuptial moult during the summer, known as 

 the "eclipse," in which for a short while the drake assumes a plumage 

 resembling that of the female. As might be expected of this so-different 

 little duck, the Ruddy provides one of the few exceptions to this rule, 

 and has instead two distinct plumages, one for the summer breeding 

 season and one for the winter. A prenuptial moult in April and May 

 produces the brilliant summer plumage of the male with the chestnut- 

 coloured back and bright blue bill; a postnuptial moult from August to 



