One April day I was sitting on the shore of Sebago Lake, Maine, with a spruce trunk for a backrest, when a flock of these hardy birds swung into the cove and lit scarcely 100 feet away. The males moved slowly into line. Then — as tho at a signal — rushed wildly ahead with necks stretched skyward and feet flailing the water into foam. The females sank slowly until only the heads and backs showed; perhaps they hid their eyes in shame at such an exhibition of masculinity. The turmoil increased so it was almost impossible to distinguish the birds in the whirl of spray until gradually the causes of the excitement raised themselves and joined in the merriment but very demurely and with far less intensity than the males. Another signal — the whirlwind ceased abruptly — all commenced diving for food.
The REDBREAST is more frequently found along the maritime parts of its range and seldom goes far inland. According to Forbush, males do not migrate as far south as do females and young.
They are wary, hardy and possess great vitality. I once spent half a day trying to put a wounded bird out of misery:
The wind blew hard directly on shore and the Duck swam as far as it could; then wind and waves forced it shoreward. When it got within range I turned loose the single barrel 30 gage shotgun and scared it off to windward. Over and again this was repeated until at last the poor thing drifted to my feet.