ANATHSLE — THE DUCKS — AIX. 13 



The Wood or Summer Duck is by far the most beautiful and graceful of all the 

 North American Anatidm, and indeed has no superior in any water. It is widely 

 distributed over the North American continent from Southern Mexico to Hudson's 

 Bay, and from the Atlantic, to the Pacific coast. It breeds abundantly from Texas 

 to the British Provinces. 



Richardson states that the Wood Duck is quite rare in the Fur Countries, and 

 is never found farther north than the 54th parallel. Mr. Murray, however, men- 

 tions finding it on the western side of Hudson's Bay, in a locality some six degrees 

 farther north than this limit. It is, however, very rare north of latitude 50°. Mr. 

 Kennieott mentions meeting with several small flocks of this species, in the latter 

 part of September, north of the Red River, in Minnesota. They were feeding on the 

 wild rice, in company with immense flocks of Mallards, Widgeon, and Teal. Mr. 

 J. A. Allen met with this species in Northwestern Kansas, in May, in the neighbor- 

 In »id (if Fort Hays, and he afterward found it quite numerous in the valley of Salt 

 Lake in Utah. A single specimen only — a female — is recorded by Major Wedder- 

 bum as having been taken in Bermuda, in December, 1846. 



According to the observations of Dr. Cooper, the Wood Duck is abundant in Cali- 

 fornia, and is a resident throughout the winter in the lower districts. It migrates, 

 in April, toward the north, and returns southward in October. Dr. Cooper is not 

 sure that any go to the extreme southern part of that State, having never met with 

 any there, but infers it as probable, inasmuch as they extend their migrations on 

 the eastern coast as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. According to Mr. Dresser, the 

 Wood Duck is not merely a migratory visitor to Southern Texas, but is a resident, 

 and not uncommon, near San Antonio during the summer. He obtained a fine male 

 on the San Pedro, April 23, 1864, and one at Fort Stockton, April 19. According 

 to Mr. Lawrence, Colonel Abert met with this species near Mazatlan, in Western 

 Mexico. It is quite common in all the British Provinces, in New England, and 

 probably in nearly all parts of the Union, even to Florida. It is given by Dr. < rund- 

 lach as resident in and breeding in Cuba. Mr. Mcllwraith speaks of it as abundant 

 near Hamilton, C. W., and in the West generally, and breeding all over the country. 



In Long Island, according to Giraud, the Wood Duck is very seldom seen on the 

 open bay. preferring the still ponds ami shady creeks, where it finds an abundant 

 supply of its favorite food, which consists chiefly of insects, seeds, and leaves of 

 plants. In the fall it feeds freely on acorns, with which its stomach is often found 

 to be stuffed full. It is known as the Summer Duck from its remaining through 

 that season, and the Wood Duck by others, because it frequents wooded regions, 

 and breeds in the hollow of trees. Its beautiful plumage and its quiet and gentle 

 character make it quite a favorite in many parts of the country; and it is not 

 unusual for persons residing in suitable situations to invite its presence by pre- 

 paring boxes and other convenient places for it to nest in. The Wood Duck usually 

 keeps in small parties, and moves about in pairs. It was formerly frequently taken 

 in nets, and sent to market ; but this exterminating process is now discouraged, and 

 in many States is forbidden by law. 



According to Wilson, the Wood Duck winters as far north as Virginia, and he 

 states that he has met witli individuals near Petersburg in January. In Penn- 

 sylvania the female is said to begin to lay late in April, almost invariably in the 

 hollows of trees, sometimes on a broken branch. Wilson says that this bird occa- 

 sionally constructs its own nest of sticks — a statement not accepted by Audubon. 

 It is not improbable that — like some other Ducks — this species may make use of the 

 deserted nest of a Crow or a Hawk. 



