396 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



breast of the parent. The same tree is sometimes occupied, 

 by the same pair, for several successive years, in the breed- 

 ing season. The young, when hatched, are carried down 

 in the bill of the female, and afterwards conducted by her to 

 the nearest water. To these places, when once selected, if 

 not disturbed, they sometimes show a strong predilection, 

 and are not easily induced to forsake the premises, however 

 invaded by noise and bustle. While the female is sitting, 

 the male is usually perched on some adjoining limb of the 

 same tree, keeping watch for their common safety. The 

 species is scarcely ever gregarious, they are only seen in 

 pairs or by families. The common note of the drake is peet, 

 peet ; but when on his post as sentinel, on espying danger, 

 he makes a sort of crowing noise, like 'lioo eek, 'hoo eeJc. 



The food of the Wood Duck consists principally of 

 acorns, the seeds of aquatic plants, such as those of the 

 Wild Oat ( Zizania aquatic a,) Ruppia, &lc. and insects, 

 which inhabit in or near waters ; and I have seen a fine 

 male whose stomach was wholly filled with a mass of the 

 small coleoptera, called Donatias, which are seen so nimbly 

 flying over or resting on the leaves of the pond lily 

 (Nymphcca odorata;) they are therefore very. alert in quest 

 of their prey or they could never capture these wary insects. 

 They are not uncommon in the markets of the Eastern 

 and Middle States, and are justly esteemed as food. 



The Wood Duck has sometimes been tamed, and soon 

 becomes familiar. They have even been so far domestica- 

 ted as to run about at large in the barn yard like ordinary 

 fowls. In France they have also been acclimated and tamed, 

 and have bred in this condition. 



Length of the species about 21 inches : of the folded wing 

 inches ; of the bill above 1 inch 4^ lines ; tarsus 1^ inches. In the 

 male the head above, and space between the eye and bill is glossy 

 dark green. Cheeks and a large patcli on the sides of the throat 



