2IO GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



They seldom dive for their food, which consists of acorns, pond 

 mosses, wild oats, insects, wheat and other grain. The most suc- 

 cessful method of hunting the Wood Duck is by "jumping " them 

 along the creeks and rivers which they frequent. The best season 

 for this sport is the latter part of August and September ; they are 

 fond of sitting on old logs and rat houses in the middle of the day, 

 preening and sunning themselves. They are not easily decoyed, 

 and when hit generally fall, but if wounded, run up the banks of 

 pond or stream and conceal themselves deftly, it being then neces- 

 sary to put a dog on the trail in order to discover their retreat. 

 The Wood Ducks are also prized for their fine plumes and feathers, 

 which form quite an article of commerce. No better trout or 

 salmon flies are made than those manufactured from these feathers. 

 The account of this species found in Audubon's " Ornithological 

 Biography," is intensely interesting, and gives excellent ideas of 

 the habits of the bird. 



