168 BULLETIN 126, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Breeding range. — The Bahama Islands (Abaco, Andros, the Caicos, 

 the Inaguas, Long Island, etc.), Porto Kico, some of the Lesser 

 Antilles, the Guianas, and northern Brazil. The southern limit of 

 the northern race is not determined. Replaced farther south by a 

 larger race. Some form of this species breeds on the Galapagos 

 Islands. 



Winter range. — Same as above, apparently not migratory. 



Casual record. — Accidental in Florida (Cape Canaveral, Marc^h, 

 i912). 



AIX SPONSA (Linnaeus). 



WOOD DUCK. 



HABITS. 



Spring. — While wandering through the dim cathedral aisles of a 

 big cypress swamp in Florida, where the great trunks of the stately 

 trees towered straight upward for a hundred feet or more until the 

 branches interlaced above so thickly that the sunlight could not 

 penetrate, we seemed to be lost in the gloom of a strange tropical 

 forest and far removed from the familiar sights and sounds of the 

 outside world. Only the frequent cries of the omnipresent Florida 

 red-shouldered hawk and an occasional glimpse of a familiar fly- 

 catcher or vireo, migrating northward reminded us of home. But 

 at last the light seemed to break through the gloom, as we approached 

 a little sunlit pond, and there we saw some familiar friends, the 

 center of interest in a pretty picture, framed in the surroundings of 

 their winter home, warmed by the genial April sun and perhaps 

 preparing to leave for their northern summer home. The sunlight 

 filtering through the tops of the tall cypresses which surrounded the 

 pool shone full upon the snowy forms of 50 or more white ibises, 

 feeding on the muddy shores, dozing on the fallen logs, or perched 

 upon the dead slumps or surrounding trees; the air seemed full of 

 them as they rose and flew away. But with this dazzling cloud of 

 whiteness there arose from the still waters of the pool a little flock 

 of \\ ood ducks, ])nlliant in their full nuptial plumage, their gaudy 

 colors flashing in tlie sunshine, as they went whirring off through 

 the tree tops. What a beautiful creature is this Beau Brummel 

 among birds and AA'hat an exquisite touch of color he adds to the 

 scene among the water lijacinths of Florida or among the pond lilies 

 of New England ! 



The wood duck is a strictly North American species and principally 

 a bird of the X nited Slates, for its summer range extends but a 

 short distance north of our borders, except in the warmer, central 

 portions of Canada, and even in winter it does not migrate far south 



