UPLAND SIIOOTlNt;. 125 



gated, but those of the upper part of the neck are sliglilly so. 

 In other respects the plumage presents nothing very remarkable, 

 and is similar to that of the male, only the feathers anterior to 

 the wing, the hypochondrial, the inner secondaries and the 

 rump feathers, are not enlarged as in him. Bill blackish-brown ; 

 feet dusky, tinged with yellow. Upper part of the head dusky, 

 glossed with green ; sides of the head and neck, and the hind 

 part of the latter, light brownish-gray; throat white, but with- 

 out the lateral processes of the male. Forepart of the neck 

 below, and sides, light yellowish-brown, mottled Avith dark 

 grayish-brown, as are the sides under the wings ; breast and 

 abdomen white, the former spotted with brown. Hind neck, 

 back and rump, dark brown, glossed with green and purple. 

 Wings as in the male, but the speculum less, and the seconda- 

 ries externally faint reddish-purple ; the velvet black of the 

 male diminished to a few narrow markings. Tail dark brown, 

 glossed with green ; lower tail-coverts pale grayish-brown, 

 mottled with white; lower wing-coverts as in the male. 

 "Length, 19^ inches. 



" This beautiful species ranges over the whole extent of the 

 United States, and I have seen it in all parts from Louisiana to 

 the confines of Maine, and from the vicinity of our Atlantic 

 coasts as far inland as my travels have extended. It also occurs 

 sparingly in the breeding season in Nova Scotia, but farther 

 North I did not observe it. Everywhere in this immense tract, 

 I have found it an almost constant resident, for some spend the 

 winter even in Massachusetts, and far up the warm spring 

 waters of brooks on the Missouri. It confines itself, however, 

 entirely to fresh water, preferring at all times the secluded 

 retreats of the ponds, bayous, or creeks, which occur so pro- 

 fusely in our woods. 



" The llight of this species is remarkable for its speed, and 

 for the ease and elegance with which it is performed. The 

 Wood Duck passes through the woods, and even among the 

 branches of trees, with as much facility as the Passenger Pigeon ; 

 and while removing from some secluded haunt to its breeding- 



