H. PAYNE 
047 
RING-XECK (aYTHYA COLEARIS) 
the plates in front of Mr. Babcock and myself 
each contained two plnnij) little birds that I 
did not recognize in their undress uniform. 
After I had tasted of one, Mr. Babcock a.sked : 
“How do yon like my selection ?” “Exceed- 
ingly,” I answered, “but what are they ? I 
never ate anything better.” “The much 
despised ruddy,” was his reply, “the su])erior 
of the canvasback when properly handled.” 
The best evidence that I fully endorsed all 
that he claimed for the ruddy duck is the fact 
that there was nothing left of my two birds 
but well-picked bones. The ruddy duck may 
well be called a resident species over the whole 
of the Pacific Coa.st shooting grounds, for 
they breed not only on the lakes and streams, 
but on the lower marshes as well, throughout 
the whole territory. 
AMERICAN GOEDEN-EYE (gEAUCIONETTA CEAXGUEA AMERICANA) 
