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The Curator—Waterfowl at Walcot



WATERFOWL AT WALCOT


(BREEDING SEASON, 1937)


By The Curator



Cold weather which continued throughout March and April delayed

the nesting operations of most of the early breeding species of

Waterfowl; some did not nest at all. Consequently the number and

variety of birds reared this season did not come up to expectations.


We propose to say nothing about the commoner varieties which

nested but to mention only those which are of greater interest on account

of their rarity or reluctance to breed.


For three years we have had in our possession a pair of North

American Ruddy Duck. This species belongs to the race of Stiff-tailed,

or Spine-tailed Duck, like the Maccoa of South Africa. It is essentially

a diving Duck ; the feet are large, and the legs set so far back that it

can only shuffle about on land. It is rotund in shape and about two-

thirds the size of a Tufted Duck.


In full plumage the male has a Cambridge-blue bill. The nape of

the head is black and over each eye are brows raised slightly above the

crown level of the head, something like those on a toad. The cheeks

are white and the general colour of the body is brick red. The tail

feathers are long, stiff, and black. Under the tail is a small white

patch.


The display of the North American Ruddy Duck is peculiar. Holding

the tail erect and slightly spread, the head is bobbed up and down with

increasing rapidity. As the speed is increased, the up and down move¬

ment is decreased, and finally the bill is pressed into the chest, air is

ejected, and this causes water to foam round the bird’s breast. The head

is then thrust forward and a soft croak uttered. The head movements

may be likened to those of a ping-pong ball dropped vertically and

allowed to bounce until it comes to rest. This display is repeated

many times. A slight disturbance among other birds on the lake or the

approach of a dog will cause the bird to perform.


This pair of North American Ruddy Ducks bred here in 1936 and

again this year. The nest is always placed near the water’s edge. Rushes,

or fork of tree roots close to the brink are favourite sites. The Duck





