Summer Duck. 205 



marshes, but manifest a predilection for the ponds, mill- 

 dams and deep muddy streams of the interior; and the same 

 is true in more southern latitudes, for they prefer to place 

 their nests along the creeks and bayous of the land where 

 the orange and palmetto charm the eye with perennial ver- 

 dure. 



Between the time of their appearance in March and the 

 plighting of their vows at the accustomed trysting-places, the 

 sexes consort together in flocks of four or more, but never 

 in very large numbers, and fatten on acorns, the seeds of the 

 wild oats, and such insects as they can procure from the 

 tree-branches or the muddy borders of the streams and 

 ponds which they so delight to visit. 



On each recurrence of the mating season there is reason 

 to believe that the same couple come together and pledge 

 anew their fidelity and affection, unless debarred by death, or 

 some other of the many vicissitudes to which life is prone. 

 The troth-plight sealed, and a union effected, the happy 

 couple soon start off in quest of a spot for a home. In the 

 case of old birds the same locality, where no interference 

 has been experienced from beast or man, has been known to 

 be visited for four successive years. For obvious reasons, 

 Wood Ducks delight to live in close proximity to bodies of 

 water, such places affording conveniences to the young ; when 

 they are sufficiently matured to betake themselves thither, 

 for food and exercise. Situations remote from water entail 

 unnecessary labor upon the female, who is then required, at 

 considerable risk and peril, to carry them one by one to the 

 pond or stream in her bill. When the distance is not too 

 great, and the ground underneath the nesting-tree is amply 

 covered with dry leaves and grasses, the young scramble to 

 the mouth of the nest, drop themselves down, and under 

 the maternal leadership wend their way to the much-loved 

 fluid. Often the tree or stub which contains their home is 

 found to overshadow the water. All that is necessary then 

 is for the tender little creatures, after reaching the entrance, 



