. A history of the game birds, wild-fowl and shore birds of Massachusetts and adjacent states : including those used for food which have disappeared since the settlement of the country, and those which are now hunted for food or sport, with observations on their former abundance and recent decrease in numbers; also the means for conserving those still in existence . the bestadvantage, and all raced swiftly about the little pool, uncon-scious of my presence. This is one of the swiftest Ducks thatflies, and its progress beneath the water is remarkably speed even excels that of the swif
. A history of the game birds, wild-fowl and shore birds of Massachusetts and adjacent states : including those used for food which have disappeared since the settlement of the country, and those which are now hunted for food or sport, with observations on their former abundance and recent decrease in numbers; also the means for conserving those still in existence . the bestadvantage, and all raced swiftly about the little pool, uncon-scious of my presence. This is one of the swiftest Ducks thatflies, and its progress beneath the water is remarkably speed even excels that of the swift-running fish, and as itfeeds largely on fish, it is ranked among the enemies of thefinny tribes. Hon. John E. Thayer assures me that on Currituck Sound,N. C, this species feeds on the corn that the sportsmen useto attract other and more palatable Ducks. It appears to bemore at home in the small ponds and streams of the interiorthan on the sea-coast; and even on the coast it keeps mainlyto the fresh water. Like the American Merganser this species seeks a hollowtree in which to build its nest. Hence it breeds only in thewooded regions of the continent. River Ducks (Subfamily Anatinae). This group contains most of the distinctly fresh-waterDucks; but they are by no means confined to fresh waters, andsome often associate with the so-called Sea Ducks. The bill. 70 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. is more or less broadened and flattened, and provided withprocesses through which, with the aid of the flattened, pecul-iarly constructed tongue, these Ducks are able to separatetheir food from the mud or muddy water in which it is largelyfound. These Ducks differ from both theMergansers and Sea Ducks in having nolobe or flap on the hind toe (Fig. 4).The plumage, though waterproof, is lessdense than in the Loons, Grebes andSheldrakes, and in the males it is oftenvery beautiful. Both sexes have usuallya glossy, brilliant patch on the wing. Fig. 4. —Foot of River Duck. 1,1/ . , . ,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1912
