Sitting Duck was much more than the rubber duck who has become synonymous with 'holding your ground' as he did when he refused to retreat and continued to fight even though his position was hopeless and defeat was assured.
Few historians would argue that one of the greatest rubber ducks of the 19th century was Sitting Duck. Such distinction was earned for his leadership in the field of seasonal migration.
While a radical suggestion at the time, Sitting Duck was the first to propose that both land and water foul (natural or synthetic) should leave their native areas as the colder winter weather approached and seek a few months of refuge in warmer climates.
In his self published work on the topic, entitled "Benefits of Seasonal Migration for Synthetic Waterfoul and others", he called attention to the long overlooked fact that the skin of a healthy rubber duck would become brittle and tend to crack if exposed to excessively cold weather for a long period of time.
Before Sitting Duck passed away, he wrote numerous other texts on the topic of rubber duck longevity and instruction guides for humans on how to care for rubber ducks as pets.
Sitting Duck also appeared before the US Senate select committee on slavery. He was instumental in having language added to the anti-slavery bill that extended the ban on slavery to rubber ducks.
By 1886, thousands of enslaved rubber ducks were allowed to return to lives as free duckies, all owing their freedom to the work of Sitting Duck.
Rubber Duck slaves on a ranch near Loredo TX in 1845
a few years before ducky emancipation.
Rubber duck slaves herding cattle near Loredo TX before ducky emancipation. Rubber ducks were quite effective as herders because cows particularly disliked quacking.
If you wish to do more research into notable rubber ducks in history visit Rubber Duck Land and click on the Ducky Fun link.
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