THE WOOD-DUCK OR SUMMER DUCK. 205 



ducks, cand that most in use amongst hunters, is 

 identical with that described under the head 

 of blue-winged teal, ^.e., " jumping them up" along 

 the creeks and rivers which they frequent. The 

 best season for this sport is the latter part of 

 August and the month of September. In this 

 sport watch carefully about the old logs and rat- 

 houses which are to be found along the edges of 

 the reeds. Wood-ducks are very fond of sitting 

 on such places during the middle of the day to 

 preen themselves and bask in the sun. 



Their usual note (this varies considerably, how- 

 ever) is a sound between a whistle and a squeal, 

 commenced in a medium tone, and finished about 

 three notes higher, slurring gradually, though not 

 smoothly, the intermediate tones. They are not 

 easily decoyed, either by stools or calls. In the 

 fall, just about dusk in the evening, they fre- 

 quently gather in quite large flocks in some 

 sheltered bend of the river or in some favorite 

 pond to roost. They fly through the woods very 

 rapidly, darting about amongst the trees much 

 like wild pigeons. Are not very tenacious of 

 life, but when crippled are very cunning. Dive 

 very well, and if near the land usually try to 

 escape by hiding. 



