Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-10-31
HUNTERS MUST
KNOW DUCKS
Three Species, Wood, Ruddy
and Buff1ehead are Pro-
tected in State.
Conservation Department
Tells How Hunters Can
Identify Them.

Ignorance is not bliss when it
comes to hunting and it is we'll that
migratory waterfowl hunters, who are
taking part in current open season
On the various species open to legal
hunting, learn to recognize the three
protected wild duck species, warns
E. V. Willard, Minnesotas commits
sioner of conservation. Failure to
know the various ducks may cause
embarrassment" and loss of time and
money, Commissioner Willard said
Three wild ducks granted federal
and state protection are the wood
duck, which has been protected for
number of years and whose num-
bers are as a result of this protection
once more on the increase, and the
rudy and bufflehead ducks. more re-
Gently given this complete protection
How to Tell Them.
The rudy duck, sometimes known
as the broad-bill or bull-neck duck,
is a small, compact bird, weighing
about one and one-half pounds. Its
body is comparatively short, making
the bird appear chunky. It's neck is
short and thick and the bill is short,
broad, with an upturned appearance.
The plumage is dense and shiny be-
low. In the male the chestnut color
ing of the body contrasts sharply with
the black of the crown and the pure
white of the face and chin. These
characteristic markings can be re-
cognized at some distance. The
female is plain brownish color but
the general chunky outline is the
same as that of the male. The rud-
dies are slow to fly but once in the
air their flight is rapid, the stiff,
short wings producing buzzing
sound.
The Bufflehead.
The bufflehead, more generally
known as the butterball duck. is but
trifle larger than the green-winged
teal, but otherwise does not compare
in any way with this bird as the body
is more compact. The wings are
small but the head and feet compare
| lively large. The male is cOlored
a striking black and white; white be-
low, black above, with large tri-
angular white patch extending from
eye to eye across the back of the puffy
crest which is an iridescent black.
| The female is also white below, a
faded black above and on head, with
white spot on each cheek. They
are best recognized by their diminu-
tive size. the white wing bar, and in
the male the conspicuous white tri-
angle on the head. 1t is noted for
its remarkable diving ability, is fond
of deep waters and is seldom seen on
shallow ponds or sloughs.
The Wood Duck.
The wood duck is the most bril-
liantly plumaged, the most beautiful
of all ducks with it's chestnut breast,
buff sides, and decidedly iridescent
black back and head marked with
white. The dropping crest and white
throat of the male, the white eye
ring of the female and the white
under body are characteristics by
which these birds may be known
Usually found near rivers and in
in flight but flies with an unusual
twisting motion.
The graceful white swan is fully
protected. 1t is occasionally mis-
taken for a snow goose. The swan
is about three times the size of the
snow goose. Another distinguishing
feature is the pure white coloring Of
the swan; the goose having black
tipped wings. In flight the snow
goose is noisy while the swan Is just
the opposite.
The more common wild ducks can
roughly be divided into two classes
as far as their flight is concerned
The deep water ducks such as can
vasbacks, redheads and scaup come
into a lake rapidly, and when flushed
they fly along the surface Of the
water before going up. The shallow
water ducks such as maIlards, CAD
walls, pitfalls, spoon-bills. widgeon
and teal come in much more slowly
La -H1r ~ ~;