RUDDY DUCK. " 327 
breeding-grounds, some proceed along the coast, but a greater number 
along our numerous rivers. 
The flight of the Ruddy Duck is rapid, with a whirring sound, oc- 
casioned by the concave form of the wings and their somewhat broad 
ends, the whistling sound produced by other species having more 
pointed and stiffer quills, not being heard in this, or only in a very 
slight degree. They rise from the water with considerable difficulty, 
being obliged to assist themselves with their broad webbed feet, and to 
run as it were on the surface for several yards, always against the 
breeze, when it blows smartly. ‘The strength of the muscles of their 
feet enables them to spring from the ground at once. When they are 
fairly on wing, they fly in the same manner as most of our travelling 
ducks, sustain themselves with ease, and are apt to remove to great dis- 
tances. They alight on the water more heavily than most others that are 
not equally flattened and short in the body ; but they move on that ele- 
ment with ease and grace, swimming deeply immersed, and procuring 
their food altogether by diving, at which they are extremely expert. They 
are generally disposed to keep under the lee of shores on all occasions. 
When swimming without suspicion of danger, they carry the tail ele- 
vated almost perpendicularly, and float lightly on the water; but as 
soon as they are alarmed, they immediately sink deeper, in the manner 
of the Anhinga, Grebes, and Cormorants, sometimes going out of sight 
without leaving a ripple on the water. On small ponds they often dive 
and conceal themselves among the grass along the shore, rather than 
attempt to escape by flying, to accomplish which with certainty they 
would require a large open space. I saw this very often when on 
the plantation of General Hernanpez in Kast Florida. If wounded, 
they dived and hid in the grass; but, as the ponds there were shallow, 
and had the bottom rather firm, I often waded out and pursued them. 
Then it was that I saw the curious manner in which they used their 
tail when swimming, employing it now as a rudder, and again with a 
vertical motion ; the wings being also slightly opened, and brought into 
action as well as the feet. They are by no means shy, for I have often 
waded toward them with my gun until very near them, when I cared not 
about shooting them, but was on the look-out for a new Rail or Galli- 
nule, along the margin of the ponds. They are often seen in company 
with ‘feals, Scaup Ducks, Gadwalls, Shovellers, and Mallards, with all 
of which they seem to agree. 
