WOOD DUCK 

 144. Aix sponsa. 19 in. 



Head crested in both sexes, the feathers being espe- 

 cially lengthened on the nape. No other American duck 

 that can possibly be mistaken for them. The male 

 Wood Duck is the most beautiful of the family, in this 

 or any other country, its cnly rival being the gaily col- 

 ored Mandarin, of China. In summer, they may be 

 found about the edges of clear ponds or lakes, especially 

 those located in woods remote from human habitations. 

 They are very local in their distribution and only one 

 or two pairs will be found in a locality. In most parts 

 of their range they are rapidly diminishing in numbers. 



Notes. A soft whistled " peet, peet " and a squawky, 

 danger-note like " hoo-eek, hoo-eek." 



Nest. In the hollow of a tree usually near the water's 

 edge. The bottom is lined with soft downy feathers, 

 and 8 to 15 buffy eggs are laid (2.00x1.50). 



Range. Whole of the United States and southern 

 Canada, breeding locally throughout the range. Win- 

 ters in southern half of the U. S. 



