BLACK DUCK 165 



glides through the air, tipping slightly from side to side, gradually drop- 

 ping in a circle until near enough to check its momentum with a few 

 viborous flaps and drop into the water, feet first, with a gentle, gliding 

 splash. On land the Black Duck walks with ease and grace, running rap- 

 idly, if necessary, and holding its head high. It is ever on the alert and 

 can seldom be surprised. It swims lightly and gracefully and with some 

 speed. It does not ordinarily dive, but it can do so, if necessary, as 

 every gunner knows who has wounded one and chased it. I have read 

 that this duck can detect the presence of danger by the sense of smell, 

 but I doubt it; it would not come so readily to well-concealed duck 

 stands, where human beings are living constantly, if its nostrils were 

 very keen. I should think it more likely that it depends on its sight and 

 hearing, both of which are very acute and highly developed" (Bent, 

 1923). 



Of the courtship of this duck, Sawyer (1909) says: "Most interest- 

 ing were the actions of one pair that, from the time the flock came, con- 

 stantly raced from end to end of the pond, one bird closely pursuing the 

 other. Now and again the chase became too hot, and the leading bird 

 in a thrilling swirl of water rose several feet into the air, followed imme- 

 diately by the other. Toward the farther end of the pond they would 

 splash into the water, soon to take wing again in the opposite direction. 

 As, with necks stretched far out and downward, the pair flew half the 

 length of the pond 2 or 3 rods while the other ducks looked quietly on 

 or went indifferently about their feeding, making the water dance till it 

 seemed alive with ducks, the scene was really spectacular. Again and 

 again, I heard the pair of ducks break from the water, and the splash, 

 splash as they dropped into the pond again." Bent (1923) says: "I 

 have often seen the spirited nuptial flight of this species. Near some 

 woodland reservoir I have heard the loud quacking notes and, looking 

 up, have seen a pair, or perhaps, three, of these ducks flying over the tree 

 tops at full speed; the courtship chase seems to be a test of speed and 

 energy, a sort of aerial game of tag, as they sweep around again and 

 again in a large circle or back and forth over the pond or swamp which 

 they will probably choose for a summer home; finally the bride yields 

 to the suitor of her choice and they fly off together or drop down into 

 the water." 



As these words are being written, on the verandah of the log cabin 

 at the Glen Major Angling Club, about 40 miles northeast of Toronto, 

 Ontario, there are two broods of young Black Ducks with their mothers 

 swimming around in the Upper Pond less than 100 yards away. Every 

 year Blacks breed in this little sanctuary and the nests are usually built 

 among the willows and cat-tail (Typha) on the edges of the same pond 

 or the marsh adjoining which carries a thick growth of horse-tail (Equi- 

 setum fluviatile). At 2 p.m. on May 24th, 1942, however, while angling 

 for trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) on the Lower Pond of this club, I came 

 upon a nest located on the top of an old stump standing in the water, 

 about 25 feet from the nearest bank. The top of the stump was about 2 



