Oh, eet's courtin' tam' in de woodlan' !- 



Ba Gosh ! Dat's good idee ! 

 I'm dress np — me — lak de bkie jay, 



An' court ma gairl Marie! 

 An' dough ma voice seengs fonn\-, 



Lak saws cut de knots in pine, 

 I'll tak' ma ol' accord'yon, 



'Cos I mak' dose music fine. 

 Eef de sparrow, cr-row an' cow-bird, 



So homely as can be. 

 Can win som' gairl in de spreengtam', 



Ba Gar ! dere's chance for me ! 



Wood Duck i^ix Sponsa) 



Range: Breeds from southern British Columbia, central Saskatchewan, 

 northern Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia south to central California, 

 southern Texas, Florida, and Cuba ; winters chiefly in the United States from 

 southern British Columbia, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New 

 Jersey south to southern California and the Gulf of IMexico. 



However divided the sportsmen of America may be on the many questions 

 affecting their rights and privileges, they should one and all unite in an attempt 

 to preserve the existence of the wood duck, perhaps the most beautiful of the 

 duck tribe. It is true that in some sections of the country the wood duck is still 

 far from uncommon, but no one conversant with the present state of affairs 

 can examine the records of its former range and abundance without being con- 

 vinced that the danger threatening the species is real and imminent ; nor need 

 recorded evidence alone be relied upon, for there are many sportsmen alive today 

 whose memories go back to the time when this beautiful bird abounded in most 

 of the wooded sections of eastern United States, where today few, if any, remain. 

 A regulation under the Federal migratory bird law provides a closed season for 

 the wood duck until 1918, and if this prohibition is faithfully observed, there is 

 every reason to believe that the species will materially increase, more particularly 

 as in states where it is wholly protected, or protected in spring, an increase in 

 numbers has already been noted. It will be to our everlasting shame if this, one 

 of the most perfect of Nature's creations, is allowed to meet the same fate as the 

 passenger pigeon. Practically all the wood ducks nest and winter within our 

 own boundaries and it is for us to sav what shall l)c their fate. 



900 



