THE RUDDY DUCK. 471 



■slaughter, to be approved by that gallant sportsmanship, 

 which always seeks to give the bird "a chance for its life." 



The great thoroughfare of the Canvas-back in migration, 

 like that of many of our river Ducks, is along the interior 

 ■of our continent; and its breeding habitat is in the great 

 northwest, especially about the cool waters in the higher 

 latitudes of the Rocky Mountains and vicinity. 



Early in spring or late in the fall, or perhaps even in mid- 

 winter, it is sometimes taken on Niagara River, and for a 

 short time in the spring and fall migrations it is common 

 on St. Clair Flats. This is particularly an American species, 

 resembling, however, our Red-head and the European 

 Pochard- 



THE RUDDY DUCK. 



Common, and sometimes abundant, on Niagara River 

 ■during the migrations, is the Ruddy Duck (Erismatura 

 rubidd). An anomaly of its kind is this little creature. 

 Some 16 long and 21.50 in extent, it has a peculiarly short 

 and almost round appearance; the long and gradual curve 

 of the crown, joined to a bill rather short, broad and much 

 •depressed, is a marked feature; the rather long and broad 

 tail, with scarcely any coverts above or below, is decidedly 

 out of order for a Duck; the broad tip of the wing, so ap- 

 parent in flight, would seem more in place for a Coot or a 

 Gallinule; the striking seasonal change of plumage in the 

 male would do for a Gull or a Grebe; the large egg, with 

 granulated shell, might be mistaken for that of a Goose; 

 while its diving propensities would do credit to a Dabchick. 



Look at that elegant male, as he floats on the smooth sur- 

 face of some fresh-water channel in the breeding season! 

 Almost as motionless as a wooden decoy, he holds his large 

 and full spread tail straight up, often catching the wind 

 just in the right direction, and thus using that appendage 



