BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 389 



domestic duck. Great numbers however proceed beyond our 

 borders. 



The WOOD or SUMMER DUCK, Anas sponsa, is a most beau- 

 tiful bird, which makes its home in Massachusetts, in quiet 

 retreats near ponds and rivers, where some of them spend the 

 winter. They seldom visit the coast, but prefer the fresh 

 water, their food consisting of grapes, beechnuts, acorns, and 

 such berries as are found in the vicinity of ponds and streams. 

 They also eat tadpoles and water insects, reaching their necks 

 into the water to secure them, after the manner of the mallard. 

 On the ground they run fast ; they also move with firmness on 

 the larger branches of trees. They swim and dive well, often 

 stopping near the edge of the water, with nothing except the 

 bill above j but often, when alarmed, they run into the depths 

 of the wood. Their sense of hearing is very delicate, and aids 

 them to escape from their various enemies. Their flight is 

 rapid and graceful ; they move through the trees and foliage 

 as readily as the pigeon. 



The wood ducks build in May, in the hollow part of a 

 branch or the deserted hole of a large woodpecker, which 

 they enter readily, though the entrance seems much smaller 

 than their bodies. The eggs, which are from six to fifteen, 

 of a yellowish green, are laid on dry plants and down plucked 

 from the parent's breast, together with the feathers of various 

 other birds. As soon as the young are hatched, if the nest is over 

 the water, they spread their little wings and feet, and drop into 

 the stream; if not, the mother carries them carefully to the 

 water, in her bill ; sometimes she lets them fall on the dry 

 leaves below, and then conducts them to their favorite element, 

 where they soon learn to collect flies, moschetoes, and other 

 insects, for their food. The experiment of domesticating this 

 fine bird has been tried with good success ; and after a few 

 years, they would doubtless give up all desire to return to 

 their wildness. 



The BLUE-WINGED TEAL, Anas discors, returns early in au- 

 tumn from the north and west, where it breeds. They are 



