The Buffle-head 



same reason. We shall learn that the other fellow is more interesting 

 to us alive than dead — so much more interesting that it is really worth 

 our while to make overtures of friendship. 



If any sight in nature could disarm the powder-lust, it would be 

 that of a half dozen Buffieheads dancing upon the sun-kissed waters 

 of some southern lagoon. Dapper, jaunty, bright-eyed, elegant, and 

 altogether charming are these dainty duck children. Their white 

 breasts gleam in the sun, and they ride so high in the water that they 

 seem more like fluffs of floating cotton than creatures of avoirdupois. 

 If that captivating drake, now, would only let us handle him, we should 

 be perfectly satisfied. We would cuddle him in our arms, and stroke 

 his puffy cheeks of rainbow hue, or give a playful tweak to his saucy little 

 nose. But he does not fully appreciate our benevolent attitude; he does 

 not immediately reciprocate our desire to fondle him — therefore, we will 

 give him the left barrel. 



"The Bufflehead flies with notable speed, vibrating its wings with 

 great rapidity, and usually travels close to the water. When alight- 

 ing on the water, it does so with a big splash, considering the size of 

 the bird, and ploughs through the water for some little distance before 

 its momentum is completely arrested. It associates in pairs, or flocks 

 of small size. Flocks do not fly in regular formation, as is the habit 

 with some ducks, but the individual members bunch closely together, 

 each disregarding the position of its companion. A deep guttural note 

 is sometimes given when on the wing, but more often the birds fly with- 

 out uttering any sound whatsoever." — (Game Birds of California). 



Buffieheads are found in considerable numbers along our coasts, 

 but there is a noticeable reduction in numbers from Monterey south- 

 ward. To a lesser extent they are distributed over the inland waters, 

 appearing at times upon the quiet reaches of some of our swiftest streams, 

 or else resting upon some tiny millpond. Brackish pools and tide chan- 

 nels, tide-flats, and the tossing billows of the open ocean, all are alike 

 to these happy and hardy little souls. Like the Scoters or Golden- 

 eyes, the Buffieheads, tired of feeding in the kelp-beds or wresting a 

 living from the combers, occasionally venture ashore, and at no time is 

 a Bufflehead more engaging than when pattering over the sand with 

 quick, agile steps, or when taking a running start down the slope of 

 shingle. 



When they reach us in October the Buffieheads are as fat as butter 

 (whence, of course, "Butterball"), but they have gained their flesh on 

 the cleaner feeding grounds of the northern interior. On a fare of fish 

 and marine worms, which they obtain in salt water almost entirely by 

 diving, their flesh soon becomes rank and unprofitable. 



1820 



