DUCKS AND GEESE 81 



Its nest, usually placed on grassy knolls, in fresh-water 

 marshes near the sea, is made of dried weeds and grasses 

 and lined with the down of the hird. It is evident that the 

 female performs all the duties of incubating the eggs and 

 caring for the young, for during the nesting period large 

 flocks are observable that consist entirely of males, con- 

 stantly feeding in their accustomed haunts. 



This ocean duck feeds " on small mollusks and fishes, for 

 which it dives almost constantly, both in the sandy bays and 

 amidst the tumbling surf, sometimes fishing at the depth of 

 several fathoms and floating buoj^antly among the surf of 

 the raging billows, where it seems as unconcerned as if it 

 were on the most tranquil waters." 



RUDDY DUCK 



The Ruddy Duck is distributed generally from northern 

 South America to Hudson Bay, breeding mostly in Canada, 

 though locallj^ farther south. This duck is more common 

 west of Indiana and Micliigan. In the Great Lakes region 

 they are known chiefly as migrants, but in Utah, Colorado, 

 and California this odd-looking duck is a summer resident. 

 They frequent both fresh and salt water, flying low over 

 the surface. 



Ruddys are comparatively small ducks with flat bodies 

 and stiff tail feathers held erect while swimming. The feet 

 are extremely large, and the birds swim rapidly both under 

 and above water. In rising it runs on the surface of the 

 water against the wind. 



Like the redhead and canvas-back, this bird constructs 



