RIVER DUCKS. 



185 



No. 173. 



WOOD DUCK. 



Species: A. sponsa. 



Genus: Aix. 



Distribution: 



A common transient visitor, breeding sparingly. 



Date of Arrival: March, April. 



Date of Departure: August, through October. 



General Plumage: 



Male, upper parts brownish green, head marked with white 

 and green, throat white, white mark before wings, breast and 

 about tail chestnut, breast white spotted, belly white, flanks 

 buff, black and white marked. Female and immature, upper 

 parts and crown brownish, cheeks ashen, throat regions white, 

 flanks ashy brown, buff marked, belly whitish. Bill black, 

 red and white, feet yellow. Length about 18.50. 



Song and Other Notes: A "plaintive whistle, oo-eek." 



Haunts: Woodland and inland bodies of water, ponds, rivers and 

 streams. 



