THE SUMMER DUCK. 188 



they are usually covered with down, probably plucked from 

 the breast of the parent. The same tree is sometimea 

 occupied, by the same pair, for several successive years, in 

 the breeding 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 

 Dremises, 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 gfegarious, 

 they are only seen in pairs or by families. The common 

 note of the drake is peet, peet; but when on his post a^' 

 sentinel, on espying danger, he maies a sort of crowing 

 noise, like ^hoo eeh, ^Jioo eek. 



The food of the Wood Duck consists principally of acorns, 

 the seeds of aquatic plants, such as the Wild Oat, Ruppiay 

 &c., 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 Donatiasy which are 

 seen so nimbly flying over or resting on the leaves of the 

 pond lily ; 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 



