WOOD DUCK LIFE 121 



duck appearing, I climbed to the opening. Out against my 

 face and away she dashed with a frightened rush. Straight 

 out over Pamlico Sound she went as though she contem- 

 plated crossing that forty mile tract of water. But within 

 five minutes the anxious mother was back, having circled 

 and- returned through the woods. Several times she flew 

 through the trees of the yard and once seemed on the point 

 of perching. After this she did not leave again until I 

 was well on my way up the road, then she flew away 

 toward the Sound. 



At this I hurried back and hid near the nesting tree. 

 In a few minutes she returned and pausing a moment in 

 the entrance of the cavity disappeared within, from which, 

 T hope, there emerged later a brood of young ducks. 



The habit which the bird has of lining her nest with the 

 feathers of her body serves a double purpose. Not only do 

 they make a soft bed, but the bare warm skin of the bird's 

 breast gives a greater warmth to the eggs by resting 

 directly against them. 



The wood duck is a favorite game bird in many places 

 and is much appreciated as a table dish. Along in August, 

 when the young are nearly grown, the sport of the local 

 gunners begins. In regions where the birds are numerous 

 they can be found on nearly every pond and stream of any 

 size. Often two or more families unite and thus large 



