Identifier: cu31924022528685 (find matches)
Title: The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Dawson, William Leon, 1873- Jones, Lynds, b. 1865
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Columbus, The Wheaton Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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neral Range.—North America in general, south to the West Indies andthrough Central America to Colombia; breeds throughout much of its NorthAmerican range and south to Gautemala. Range in Ohio.—Rare spring, not uncommon fall, migrant. Not known tobreed, but probably has done so. SINCE the establishment of the new three-acre reservoir for the watersupply of Oberlin, I have been agreeably surprised to find this duck a frequentvisitor during both migrations. It is usually considered one of the less com-mon ducks, the state over, but here it is seen more often than any but theBuffle-head and Lesser Scaup. It is never numerous in individuals, the flocksseldom numbering over half a dozen. The males usually predominate, buteach flock contains at least one female. Sometimes two males, or one maleand one female come together and leave together. This duck is even less wary than the Buffle-head, perhaps because itsflesh is not considered a delicacy, and it is not hunted so mercilessly as some
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RUDDY DUCK Erinviafura jamaicenais\i Life-size HieHTS RESERVEO IN ( 1S0D, er *. W. UUMFORD, OHICASD.1 BY THE WMEATON PUBLIBHIHQ CO THE AMERICAN MERGANSER. 619 other species. It does not fui-nish good sport for the professional sportsman,because it refuses to be afraid, and will not fly, but prefers to dive ijistead. The reddish-brown back and tail pointing stiiBy straight up, or eveninclining slightly forward, give to these birds a decidedly wren-like appear-ance. The reddish back and broad white stripe below and behind the eye aregood field marks. While the birds dive readily, and obtain their food wellbelow the surface Of the water, they do not resort to diving as much as theBuffle-head does when danger threatens. For them danger lies in getting withinrange of the man with a gun who must kill something, but cares not at allfor true sport. The Ruddy Duck passes across Ohio during April and the first week inMay, and returns during October and November. Some may pass the winterwithin t

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