184 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



to thirty or forty feet. If it be possible, the nesting-site is al- 

 ways above water, in order that if the ducklings finally 

 scramble out of the nest and fall, they will alight in the water 

 without injury, and quickly learn to swim. 



In captivity the best nesting arrangement for this bird 

 consists of a long, narrow box set on end on a stout post, w^ell 

 out in a pond, roofed over to keep out the rain. There must 

 be a hole in one side, near the top, and a slanting board with 

 cross slats reaching up to it from the water, for use as a ladder. 

 The Wood Duck will sometimes nest on the ground, either in 

 captivity or out. This species is being bred in captivity in 

 England in large numbers, and also with some success in this 

 country. Duck fanciers find no difficulty in purchasing live 

 specimens of this interesting bird at $15 per pair, or less. 



During the summer of 19Q2, a pair of wild Wood Ducks 

 made daily visits to the Ducks' Aviary in the New York 

 Zoological Park, and in the autumn of that year a small flock 

 settled with the Wood Ducks, mallards and pintails on the 

 Wild-fowl Pond, and remained there permanently. In the 

 spring of 1903, a fine drake manifested a fixed determination 

 to break into the great Flying Cage, and become a member 

 of the happy family within. After he had flown around the 

 cage two or three times, the keeper opened wide the wire 

 gates at the north end, and drove him in, where he thank- 

 fully settled down, secure from the attacks of gunners, and 

 certain of his food supply. 



The Wood Duck is a bird of great discernment. 



Although this bird is called the Summer Duck, and mi- 

 grates far in advance of winter, it winters very comfortably 



