The young of those living in open exposed places, such as sea and shore birds, are thickly clothed with down when hatched.

Such downy plumage is not exactly like the feathers that sprout after a while, but it answers the same purpose; for the little things could not run about or swim if they were naked, you know." "Yes, Ducklings are all downy; for I remember those that came out in June up at the Farm were, and their tiny little wings were as cunning and cute as could be," said Dodo.
[Illustration: Wood Duck.] "When little Wood Ducks are hatched and become quite dry, their mother takes them in her beak, by the wing, one by one, and flies down to the ground with them.

As soon as her brood of ten or a dozen is thus collected, she leads them off to the nearest water, and the whole lot of Ducklings go in swimming, bobbing for food as if they were a year old instead of only a few hours.

Then mamma begins to drill them in danger-signalling, so that at the slightest hint from her they dive and swim out of harm's way.
"Sea Ducks do not always live on the ocean, as the name would lead you to expect, but prefer large open waters, either fresh like those of lakes, or salt, as in bays and sounds.

They eat both animal and vegetable food, oftentimes diving deeply, and swimming far under water to find it.