610 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



18. GENUS AIX BOIE. 

 a 1 . Speculum green. A. sponsa (Linn.). 37 



*37. (144). Aix sponsa (LINN.). 



Wood Duck. 

 Synonyms, THEE DUCK, SUMMER DUCK. 



Adult Male. Head crested, metallic green and purple; line above 

 and behind the eye, white; above, coppery black, with a gloss of green 

 and purple; beneath, white; upper part of the breast, chestnut; sides, 

 buffy, very finely variegated with black; the shoulder bordered also 



Wood Duck. 



with black; covert and quills, with more or fewer tips and shades of 

 white and purple. Adult Female. Chestnut of the neck detached and 

 dull; sides, not striped; head and neck, dull; bill, reddish; edges dusky; 

 legs and feet, yellowish inside. 



Length, about 19.00-20.50; wing, 9.00-9.50; bill, 1.40. 



RANGE. Temperate North America, breeding throughout its range. 

 Cuba, Accidental in Europe. Winters from southern Indiana and 

 Illinois southward. 



Nest, of grass and leaves in a hole in tree. Eggs, 8-14; pale buff; 

 2.00 by 1.50. 



Migrant and summer resident in some numbers. Some winters it 

 may be found in southern part of the State. Breeds in suitable 

 localities throughout the State. It is known also as Tree Duck 

 and Summer Duck. They begin their northward journey with the 



