Measurements—Total length, 17 1/2 inches; wing, 8, and bill, 2 inches.
| RUDDY DUCK (Erismatura rubida) |
THE RUDDY DUCK, OR WIRE-TAIL
(Erismatura rubida)
The ruddy duck is a very common duck on our shooting grounds, from one end to the other, though as a rule it is not much sought after by our sportsmen. When feeding on the salt marshes they are not very palatable, it is true, but when killed on fresh waters they are one of our finest flavored ducks, if properly cooked. After refusing many shots at these little ducks and even many times failing to carry home those I did kill, it remained for Mr. Babcock, then of the Coronado Hotel, of San Diego, California, to demonstrate to me the real value of the ruddy duck. I was one of the party shooting with him on his preserve at Otay dam. When we came into the house after our morning's shoot, a most enjoyable one, he asked each member of the party what kind of duck he wished for his dinner. Mallards, canvasbacks, sprigs and widgeons had been named, so when he came to me I answered that any kind would do me. To this he replied: "Then you shall have one of my favorites." When dinner was ready, before each plate was a beautifully roasted duck of the species chosen by the member of the party for whom that plate was laid, but the plates in front of Mr. Babcock and myself each contained two plump little birds that I did not recognize in their undress uniform. After I had tasted of one, Mr. Babcock asked: "How do you like my selection?" "Very much," I answered, "but what are they? I never ate anything better." "The much despised ruddy," was his reply, "the superior 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 Coast shooting grounds, for they breed not only on the lakes and streams, but on the lower marshes as well, throughout the whole territory.
The ruddy duck is known by a number of names such as "wire tail," "dipper," "bullet-head," "buffle-head," etc.
Color—Male—Top of head, dark brown; sides of head below the eye, dirty white; upper parts, brown; no speculum on the wing; axillars, very light gray with light brown shafts; tail, broad and stiff with the feathers pointed; under parts, dirty white.
Female—Much the color of the male, but more of a dirty brown. Side of the head and throat, dirty gray.