WOOD DUCK LIFE 119 



In the midst of the performance a slight noise from 

 my direction caused the quick danger signal 

 to be given by the father. At once the brood 

 was in action, hurrying away for the friendly 

 cover of the grass. Wishing 

 to catch one for a closer look I 

 rose hastily and began splash- 

 ing through the water toward 

 them. This time there was no desertion by the parents; 

 the young were not yet hidden and so could not be left in 

 safety. Here and there, round and round, the anxious old 

 ducks fluttered as though helpless from broken wings. 



The female hurried the youngsters on by alternate lead- 

 ing and driving, while the male endeavored to divert my 

 attention to himself in another direction. Even after the 

 brood had distanced me in the chase and were well 

 secreted, the parents did not leave the pool. Their secret 

 had been discovered and they continued to feign lame- 

 ness until I had waded ashore and departed across the 

 fields. 



Wood ducks sometimes select for their nests trees close 

 to water, but those with which I have met were all some 

 distance away. In fact I have never found one closer than 

 half a mile to a lake or running stream. The entrance 

 hole to the nest is sometimes so small that it seems almost 



