88 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



streaked or gray-streaked, inconspicuous looking duck, but may generally be recognized 

 by the elongated, sharp middle tail feathers which do not occur in any of our other ducks. 

 Length of male 2G to 30 inches; wing 10.25 to n.20; middle tail feathers 7.25 to 9.50; 

 culmen 1.85 to 2.15. Length of female 21 to 23.50; wing 9.G0 to 10.10; middle tail feathers 

 4.50 to 5; culmen 1.80 to 2.10. 



42. Wood Duck. Aix sponsa {Linn.). (144) 



. Synonyms: Summer Duck, Acorn Duck, Wood Widgeon (Conn.). — Anas sponsa, 

 Linn., 1758. — Aix sponsa, Boie, 1826, and most authors. 



Figures 19 and 20. 



In any plumage the long tail of soft, broad feathers is characteristic, 

 and some of the wing feathers (primaries and secondaries) show a metallic 

 sheen and frosted edgings or tips. 



Distribution. — Temperate North America, breeding throughout its 

 range. Cuba. 



Fig. 19. Wood Duck— Male. 

 From Nuttall's Ornithology. (Little, Brown & Co.) 



This doubtless is the most beautiful of American ducks, and the male 

 in full plumage is probably without a superior in any part of the world. 

 Unfortunately it is one of the species which appears to l)e rapidly decreas- 

 ing in numbers throughout the state, and probably throughout the country 

 at large. Twenty years ago it was one of the most abundant ducks in 

 the state and nested commonly in the hollow trees bordering most of our 

 streams and ponds. Its present status is best shown perhaps by a few 

 notes from observers in different parts of the state. O. B. Warren, 

 Marquette county, 1898, says "Uncommon; when it occurs it stays to 

 breed." Hazelwood, Port Huron, 1904, "Very common years ago." 

 Swales, southeastern Michigan, 1904, "Now a rare bird but was formerly 

 a common migrant and fairly abundant summer resident. A few pairs 



